On the occasion of the National Day of the State of Qatar, I am honored to extend my sincere greetings to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, to His Highness The Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and to all citizens and residents of the State of Qatar.
This day is a milestone in our history as it marks the starting of a modern state. It is a day to cherish the past of this country, to pride in its prosperous present, and to be optimistic about its promising future. Celebrating this day is an opportunity to evaluate the achievements of the country in all fields and at all levels. We are proud of the unprecedented development that our country has witnessed, so that the State of Qatar has rightly become a role model.
On this happy occasion, I also wish to express my gratitude and appreciation for the people of Pakistan, who share the joy of the this occasion with Qatar, cherished by the historic bilateral relations between the two countries.
This year, we are celebrating this occasion in exceptional circumstances, as the Covid – 19 is still spreading around the world, threatening the human life as well as economies, social values and traditions.
Qatar playing its humanitarian role towards brotherly and friendly countries during Covid – 19
Besides taking measures to control its domestic situation and protect it from Covid – 19 and its repercussions on various sectors, the State of Qatar has not forgotten its humanitarian duty towards brotherly and friendly countries, as Qatar affirmed its solidarity and standing by them during this crisis and harnessed all its efforts to provide aid and support to them. Qatar’s aid to combat the Covid -19 in the world amounted to more than 88 million US dollars .Since the beginning of the spreading of Covid – 19 the State of Qatar has provided urgent medical aid to more than 78 countries as well as various international organizations in order to help them confront this crisis, thus reducing its consequences while expanding the circle of combating the virus, around the world.
Qatar’s support for Pakistan against Covid- 19
The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Islamabad, has played its part and provided medical and preventive aid from Qatar Charity to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in order to support Pakistan’s efforts in facing the outbreak of the Covid – 19. This came as a demonstration of the State of Qatar’s standing and solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and as an affirmation of the friendly relations Between the two countries.
Qatar – Pakistan Relations
The Bilateral relations are witnessing continuous development in various fields, and Qatar is keen to support and further consolidate these ties for the benefit of both countries. This is reflected in the care, follow-up and mutual visits, including the visit of His Highness the Amir of Qatar to Pakistan, which hugely strengthened the cooperation between the two countries in various fields, especially in the economy, trade, investment, energy, tourism and education. Qatar is also exploring the opportunities to promote bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in the fields of agriculture, food industries and livestock, in addition to housing, tourism and services sectors.
Cooperation in the social fields:
The State of Qatar looks forward to expanding cooperation with Pakistan at all levels and has taken practical steps in this regard. Qatar has been contributing since 2018 to educating one million out of school children in Pakistan and supporting efforts to eradicate polio. This is in addition to the contributions of “Qatar Charity” through its various programs throughout Pakistan to address the most important humanitarian and development challenges faced by people.
Economic Ties:
The bilateral trade has risen to about $ 2.6 billion, as Qatar has undertaken many economic reforms that are a strong motivation for Pakistani businessmen. These reforms have a real impact on the ground where there are about 7 Pakistani companies with 100% ownership in the Qatari market, as well as about 1400 joint companies. The launch of the direct shipping line between Karachi port and Hamad port in Doha has greatly helped to increase trade exchange between the two countries.
2022 World Cup projects and recruitment of labor:
The State of Qatar continues to bring Pakistani manpower to work on various projects within the framework of Qatar’s preparations for hosting the 2022 World Cup, and has doubled the number of Pakistanis working in Doha. The opening of 2 Qatar Visa Center in Islamabad and Karachi has facilitated the issuance of visas to Pakistanis. The State of Qatar is keen to diversify prospects of cooperation with Pakistan in the future, and we hope that coming days will witness further consolidation and development in the existing bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries in all aspects of life.