-Holds talks with COAS at GHQ
-Appreciates Pakistan’s active role in ensuring regional peace, stability
-COAS says Pakistan cherishes brotherly ties with Qatar
RAWALPINDI: Commander Qatar Emiri Land Forces Major General Saeed Hassen Mohammad Al-Khayareen Wednesday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters (GHQ) and lauded Pakistan’s sincere efforts for regional peace.
During the meeting, matters of mutual and professional interest, regional security situation including Afghan Peace Process and enhanced bilateral defence and security cooperation were discussed, said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release.
The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan Army’s sincere efforts for regional peace and reiterated that Pakistan and Qatar share brotherly relations which over a period of time were transforming into mutually beneficial ties.
The COAS thanked the dignitary and said that Pakistan Army greatly valued its brotherly relations with its time-tested friend.
Earlier on arrival at GHQ, Commander Qatar Emiri Land Forces, laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army presented the Guard of Honour to visiting dignitary.
Earlier, Minister for Defense Production Zobaida Jalal has offered military training to Qatari armed forces, adding Pakistan’s military schools were open to soldiers belonging to the Gulf peninsula.
Speaking to Qatar amabassador to Pakistan Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Jalal applauded diplomatic relations between the two countries, calling Qatar a “trustworthy friend” of Pakistan.
Defense and security ties between Pakistan and Qatar date back to 1983 when the two nations signed an MoU on defense cooperation. Since then, the two countries have been engaged in joint training, exercises, and deputations. A large number of Pakistan nationals serve in the Qatari Armed Forces as well as in key advisory roles.
In February, the two countries signed a 10-year Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supply contract at the “lowest-ever publicly disclosed price under a long-term contract in the world.” The landmark deal at lower rates will save Pakistan a total of about $3 billion over the next 10 years, Nadeem Babar, prime minister’s adviser on petroleum said Monday.
Earlier this week, Qatar’s Consul General in Karachi told a gathering of the business community that his country’s administration was planning to increase employment opportunities for Pakistan nationals in the coming years. He said the two countries were working on several joint ventures in the area of defense production and collaborating in agricultural and industrial sectors.
The Qatari ambassador also promised full cooperation with Pakistan during his interaction with the minister for defense production, saying his country would strive to broaden and deepen its relations with the South Asian country.–ISPR
