Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Qatar from Wednesday to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields and sign a mega $15-billion deal that will enable the energy-starved country to import liquefied natural gas for 15 years.
Mr. Sharif will be accompanied by a high-level delegation on the two-day visit beginning Wednesday and have meetings with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, according to a statement by the Foreign Office. The two sides would also hold wide-ranging delegation level talks.
Many MoUs to be finalised
“A number of Memorandums of Understanding [MoUs] in the field of Health, Radio & Television, Education & Research and a Long-term Sale/Purchase Agreement [SPA] of LNG would be concluded by both sides,” the Foreign Office said.
An official of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resource has said that a $15-billion LNG agreement will enable Pakistan to import gas for 15 years.
“The agreement will help address energy shortages in the country and play an important role in economic development,” he said.
Strengthening bilateral ties
The Foreign Office said that the main focus of the Prime Minister’s visit and interaction with the Qatari leadership will be on further enhancement of bilateral relations in various fields, including energy cooperation, trade and investment, defence and increase in employment opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Qatar.
Over 1,15,000 Pakistanis in Qatar
Both leaders would also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Qatar hosts more than 1,15,000 Pakistanis.
“Pakistan gives great importance to its ties with Qatar. The two countries enjoy friendly and fraternal relations marked by close cooperation. Both sides share perception on various regional and international issues,” the Foreign Office said.
