Promoting ties with Qatar.

Pakistan enjoys very brotherly, warm, and friendly relations with all members of the Islamic Ummah since its establishment in 1947, particularly with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar. Since assuming power in April 2022 until March 2023, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has undertaken 19 foreign trips to 11 countries, all official except two private visits. He has been to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Egypt to promote fraternal brotherly ties with the Islamic countries.

Pakistan has deep-rooted and multifaceted cooperation spanning over decades with Qatar. Both brotherly countries have always supported each other at regional and international forums concerning all issues, problems, and challenges. PM Shehbaz Shebaz Sharif has paid two visits to Qatar among other countries. He paid his first visit to Qatar in August 2022 when the Gulf state was making hectic preparations for hosting the historical FIFA World Cup 2022. Pakistan Army troops provided security and usage of Pakistani manufactured footballs, which was an honor for Pakistan in general and sports goods manufacturers of Sialkot, in particular.

He paid a second visit to Qatar in the first week of March 2023 to attend the 5th UN Conference on Least Developed Countries in Doha, hosted by Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Prime Minister assured the Conference participants that Pakistan is committed to implementing the Doha Programme of Action, considering it an opportunity to accelerate sustainable prosperity in the Least Developed Countries. He emphasized the partnership of LDCs with the developed nations as well as the private sector and civil society, exploring the opportunity to ensure sustainable development in the places where international assistance was needed the most. He also called upon the international community to join hands in tapping the full potential of the LDCs and helping in making progress on the road to prosperity. He concluded by pointing out that the LDCs needed major investments in health, education, and social protection systems, and as such, vast resources were needed to fully implement Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The visit also afforded an opportunity to the PM to have a productive and useful meeting with the Emir of Qatar at the Emiri Diwan. The two leaders held talks on a wide range of issues of mutual interest and discussed ways to further enhance...