Qatar expresses pride in Pakistan’s achievements, agrees to expand cooperation in defense, agriculture
President Asif Ali Zardari met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha, where both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen the historic ties between Pakistan and Qatar.
The Emir of Qatar said that his country takes great pride in Pakistan and its achievements. He praised the role of the Pakistani community in Qatar and expressed a desire to see their numbers grow further. President Zardari conveyed the good wishes of the government and people of Pakistan to the Emir and praised Qatar’s remarkable progress under his visionary leadership.
During the meeting, the Emir described the recent defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as a positive and timely step. He noted that Pakistan has a unique position in the global landscape and maintains strong relations with China, Western nations and the Gulf countries at the same time.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark “strategic mutual defense agreement” declaring that “any aggression against either country shall be regarded as aggression against both,” according to a joint Pak-Saudi statement.
Read: Pakistan, KSA sign defense pact
The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
“Building on the historic partnership spanning nearly eight decades between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and based on the bond of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, as well as shared strategic interests and close defense cooperation between the two countries, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sherba Muhammad, Prime Minister Mr. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed the “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement,” the statement read.
It added that the agreement “reflects the joint commitment of both nations to enhance their security and achieve security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen the joint deterrence against any aggression.”
The agreement says that any aggression against either country must be considered an aggression against both.”
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President Zardari proposed to expand cooperation in defense, defense production, agriculture and food security. The Emir welcomed these proposals and directed the relevant Qatari authorities to initiate immediate contact with their Pakistani counterparts to promote cooperation.
The President also praised Qatar’s role in hosting the Doha talks and its constructive contribution to regional peace, especially regarding Afghanistan. The Emir expressed optimism that Pakistan and Afghanistan would overcome the current challenges and move towards mutual understanding.
At the end of the meeting, the Emir accepted President Zardari’s invitation to visit Pakistan and announced that he would undertake the visit early next year. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar were also present during the meeting.
