By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha on Tuesday and the two discussed the situation in Afghanistan, calling for dialogue to promote regional stability, Sharif’s office said.
The talks came against the backdrop of renewed tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan after Islamabad conducted airstrikes last week on what it said were targets of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan. Kabul said the strikes killed civilians and vowed to respond to the violation of its sovereignty. It was the second time in less than six months that Pakistan has conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan. The previous strikes triggered heavy, weeklong clashes between the neighbours along their border before Qatar and Turkiye mediated a ceasefire in October last year.
Sharif and Sheikh Saoud, who is also Qatar’s state minister for defence affairs, reviewed defence and security relations between the two countries, according to the statement. Regional developments were also discussed, in particular the situation in Iran and Afghanistan. “Both sides emphasised the importance of dialogue, de-escalation and collective efforts to promote peace and stability in the region,” it added.
Sheikh Saoud appreciated the professionalism and expertise of the Pakistani armed forces and conveyed Qatar’s interest in deepening defence partnership between the two countries. Sharif expressed satisfaction over the ongoing collaboration and underscored Islamabad’s commitment to further expanding defence collaboration.
Separately, Sharif met Qatar’s State Minister for Trade Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed and a delegation from the Qatar Businessmen Association. In the meeting with Al-Sayed, who also chairs the Pak-Qatar joint business taskforce, the two sides reviewed bilateral trade and economic cooperation and expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in Pakistan-Qatar relations, the information ministry said.
Sharif emphasised the importance of enhancing bilateral trade volumes and diversifying Pakistan’s exports to Qatar, particularly in agricultural products, food items and value-added goods. He highlighted Pakistan’s investment-friendly reforms and the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in facilitating foreign investment. Al-Sayed reiterated Qatar’s interest in expanding economic cooperation and strengthening private-sector and business linkages between the two countries. The two sides agreed to convene a meeting of the taskforce during Ramadan to discuss concrete investment proposals for Qatari investment in Pakistan. They also followed up on decisions from the sixth session of the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Ministerial Commission.
Sharif also met the Qatar Businessmen Association delegation, led by chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani. He lauded the association’s constructive role in strengthening economic and commercial linkages and invited its members to explore opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, energy, agriculture, technology and export-oriented manufacturing. Pakistan has been seeking closer economic engagement with Gulf partners as it works to stabilise its economy and attract investment while maintaining security and defence cooperation with key regional states.
Sharif is scheduled to meet Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani later on Tuesday to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral relations. Sharif arrived in Doha on Monday evening and was received at Hamad International Airport by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Pakistan’s Ambassador Muhammad Aamer and other senior officials. He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
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