President Asif Ali Zardari and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani reaffirmed their commitment to deepen historic relations between Pakistan and Qatar during their meeting in Doha on Wednesday.
The Qatari Emir expressed pride in Pakistan’s progress and praised the Pakistani community’s contributions to Qatar’s development, adding that he looked forward to welcoming more skilled professionals from Pakistan. President Zardari conveyed greetings from the government and people of Pakistan and commended Qatar’s remarkable achievements under Sheikh Tamim’s leadership.
Both leaders discussed expanding cooperation in key sectors, including defence, agriculture, food security, and defence production. The Emir welcomed Zardari’s proposals and instructed Qatari officials to coordinate with Pakistani counterparts to accelerate collaboration.
During the talks, the Emir also lauded the recent Pakistan Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement, terming it a “timely and positive step.” He noted Pakistan’s strong diplomatic ties with China, Western nations, and Gulf states, describing it as a nation with a unique global position.
President Zardari appreciated Qatar’s constructive diplomatic role in the Doha peace process and its efforts toward regional stability, especially regarding Afghanistan. The Emir expressed hope that both Pakistan and Afghanistan would strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation.
Concluding the meeting, Sheikh Tamim accepted President Zardari’s invitation to visit Pakistan early next year. PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar also attended the meeting.
