The relations between the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic
of Pakistan are strong and deep-rooted in various fields, since the beginning
of diplomatic relations in the early seventies, and these relations have been
strengthened by mutual visits at the highest levels, during which a large
number of agreements were signed in the field of politics, economy, trade
exchange, investments, culture, education and many other important fields.
Economic
Partnership between the two countries:
The signing of a long-term agreement to
import about 3.5 million tons of LNG annually from Qatar marked a new beginning
of the economic partnership between the two brotherly countries. This came to
underscore the deep relations between the two brotherly countries and people
and as an attempt from the Qatari Government to support Pak government facing
the severe energy crisis. In addition to that, a Qatari private company Al
Mirqab has invested 49% in establishing a coal-fired power plant with a
production capacity of 1320 MW.
Qatari investments in Pakistan and trade exchange
between the two countries:
His Highness the Amir of Qatar, following
his recent visit to Pakistan, directed to support the Pakistani economy with 3
billion dollars in the form of deposits and direct investments to underscore
the strength of bilateral relations and express the confidence of the State of
Qatar in the strength of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan's economy. The
economic ties between the State of Qatar and Pakistan have recently witnessed a
remarkable development, as bilateral trade exchange has reached two billion
dollars, and there are about 1400 joint companies operating in various fields,
as well as 7 companies completely owned by Pakistanis. Qatar encourages the
businessmen of both countries to contribute to the development of bilateral
trade cooperation and seeks to bring the Qatari companies and their Pakistani
counterparts closer to cooperate in the interest of both countries.
Bringing Pakistanis to work in Qatar and the
facilities provided in this regard:
His Highness Sheikh / Tamim bin Hamad Al
Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, directed to raise the number of Pakistani
workers in the State of Qatar, so it was announced that one hundred thousand
Pakistani workers will be brought to work on infrastructure projects taking
place in the State of Qatar as part of the preparations for hosting the World
Cup 2022 as well as other ongoing projects in the State of Qatar. Work started
on this quickly, as an online platform containing useful data has been created
for job seekers, a number of accredited recruitment agencies have been chosen
in Pakistan, and the Pakistani side has been provided with the list of
recruitment offices in Qatar considering the importance of coordination between
the two sides. In addition to that, the State of Qatar has opened two visa
centers in the cities of Islamabad and Karachi to facilitate the issuance of
visas to Pakistani citizens, and has already issued about 45 thousand work
visas so far. I would like to also point out that Pakistan was amongst the
first eight countries selected by the State of Qatar for the inauguration of
“Qatar Visa Centers abroad” to reduce the illegal practices and guarantee the
rights of the workers by attesting the contracts.
Cooperation in the field of education and health:
Pakistan has become the largest beneficiary
of Qatar's initiative to educate 10 million children outside school as Qatar
has supported the Federal Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to
launch the education program for 1 million out-of-school children in Pakistan,
according to an agreement signed in 2018.
The "Lives and Livelihood Fund",
which is being head by “Qatar Fund for Development” during the period 2019-2020,
is financing the project "Supporting the National Polio Eradication
Program for the period 2019-2022". It aims to help Pakistani government
improve the situation of 39.2 million children under the age of five.
The project budget is $ 570 million, and
the project extends over two years. It includes the following activities:
vaccination
Immunization
Social awareness
Monitoring
of acute flaccid paralysis.