Qatar’s National Day
Naveed Ahmad Khan Photos by Ghulam Farid
Qatar’s embassies and diplomatic missions marked the National Day, which is usually celebrated on December 18, every year in the commemoration of the state’s founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani. The Qatari diplomatic celebrations in world capitals always attract high-level officials with a huge attendance that reflects Qatar’s excellent relationship with other countries across the globe. This year Qatar is hosting FIFA World Cup 2022 and the final would be on 18 December, which is an equally great day of celebrations for the state of Qatar.
At the eve of National Day, the Ambassador of Qatar to Pakistan hosted a graceful National Day event which has been attended by distinguish guests, media persons and embassy staff.
H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in his message said that Qatar National Day is a great occasion where the people of Qatar show cohesion, solidarity, and unity in meanings of love for their homeland, loyalty to ancestors and fathers, and their unforgettable sacrifices. It is a day of pride for the wise leadership of His Highness (HH), the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, may God protect him, the leader of the process of achievement, development, and promising future. He said the slogan of Qatar National Day 2022 ‘Our Unity Source of Our Strength, quoted from a speech of HH which is affirming the approach of cohesion, solidarity, and unity of the people of Qatar to face challenges and achieve objectives. Counting the major achievements, he said that the State of Qatar advanced in the political, diplomatic, economic, sports, health, and education fields which has reflected unity and solidarity between the wise leadership and the loyal people. This also draws a bright picture of the future of the State of Qatar.
About the FIFA World Cup, he said the celebration of Qatar National Day is particularly important this year, as it coincides with Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Both events are an opportunity for the people of Qatar to show their unity and distinguish culture from the world. During this period, visitors to Qatar will learn about the bright aspects of our history and culture. They would also experience our belief in civilized interaction with other cultures in a respectful manner and our expression of pride for Arab and Islamic values.
“Visitors would get the opportunity to learn about bright aspects of Qatar’s history & culture”
He further added that the tournament of the 2022 FIFA World Cup showed the world, Qatar’s cultural identity, economic, security, and administrative abilities, and its tangible achievements in all fields. He said we are grateful for the support and praise for our success in organizing this mega-global event. He said we affirm that this unique and inspiring experience is for all humanity without any discrimination. He said the tournament of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar brought the people together and unified the feeling and affirmed that the world can be united to face the major challenges that threaten humankind.
His Excellency informed about Qatar’s contributions to regional and international issues. He said as a trusted international partner, the State of Qatar believes in supporting collective initiatives and multilateral action. Qatar is always proactive in responding to global crises such as food security, energy security, the COVID-19 pandemic, and others. He said the State of Qatar is eager to support all efforts aimed at promoting cultural and civilized openness in the world. The State of Qatar pays great attention to developing its relations with countries, regional and international organizations, and actively contribute to promoting international peace and security through mediation to settle disputes by peaceful means. He said Qatar would continue its supportive role for development and stability projects in different countries.
“Qatar always plays its positive role for international peace & security through mediation”
He said The meditations of the State of Qatar in Sudan, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Chad, and others, have not just paved the way for building peace, stability, and development in these countries, but also at the regional and international levels. The State of Qatar strongly believes that peaceful means are the best way to resolve conflicts and end wars. About Qatar – Pakistan relationships, His Excellency Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that the State of Qatar and Pakistan share unique historical ties, and enjoy strong cooperative relations based on solid foundations. Our relationship has seen remarkable development in recent years, in all fields.
He said during the recent visit of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to Doha, Qatar announced to make an investment in Pakistan worth US$3 billion. His Highness, the Amir of the State of Qatar has stressed the importance of the brotherly and strategic relations between the two brother countries and their aspiration to enhance economic partnership by raising trade exchange and promoting investments through the Qatar Investment Authority. He said we have doubled the number of Pakistanis working in the State of Qatar as Qatar is now home to about 210 thousand Pakistanis. They are participating in the development of Qatar, and we appreciate their role in this regard. The Government of the State of Qatar has decided to enhance the number of Pakistanis working in Qatar.
Moreover, Qatar’s global education foundation, Education Above All (EAA) has partnered with the Asia Development Bank to enroll 960,000 of some of Pakistan’s poorest ‘Out of School Children’ into primary education over the next four years. The new partnership is part of a concerted effort to bring the country’s most marginalized children into primary-level education and comes off the back of EAA’s already remarkable track record of enrolling over 10.7 million children into education across the world. It is worth mentioning that Education Above All (EAA) has already contributed to the education of about 1.3 million out-of-school children in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan through various projects implemented since 2012 in cooperation with different partners and the total amount of support to education through “Educate a Child” program was $ 124 million. Qatar is also supporting Pakistan’s national program to eradicate polio.
“Qatar is keen to support Pakistan in education & health projects”
The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Islamabad has played its part and provided medical and preventive aid from Qatar to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in order to support Pakistan’s efforts in facing the outbreak of the COVID–19. Qatar was among the countries which immediately responded to Pakistan’s call for help two months ago when floods hit the country and sent medical and humanitarian assistance through C-17 aircraft. Qatar’s teams of medics and rescuers also remained busy in the flood-hit areas.
In February 2021 Qatar Petroleum entered into a new long-term Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Pakistan State Oil Company Limited (PSO) for the supply of up to 3 million tons per annum (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This agreement further extends Qatar’s long-standing LNG supply relationship with Pakistan and highlights Qatar’s commitment to meeting Pakistan’s LNG requirements. The Qatar Fund for Development is about to complete the financing procedures for the Disaster Risk Financing Platform Project in Pakistan in cooperation with the START network. The project aims to build Pakistan’s capacity to prepare for natural and predictable disasters in a better way before the occurrence of the crisis based on scientific evidence and historical data about natural disasters. The project aims to reduce and mitigate the humanitarian impacts in terms of loss of life in the most vulnerable communities. He added that the State of Qatar gives great importance to its brotherly relations with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and is very keen to further strengthen the existing ties between the two brotherly countries.
In his message, the Excellency wished that the bilateral relations will see further development and progress in the future Insha Allah.