Pakistan’s ambassador-designate HE Dr Muhemmed Aejaz has praised the contribution of Pakistanis in the highly successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
“Whether it was the development of infrastructure, participation of around 4,000 security personnel, ‘Made in Pakistan’ Rihla football, or the volunteers, Pakistanis played an important role in the mega event,” said the ambassador-designate while speaking to prominent members of the Pakistani community at the Pakistan embassy in Qatar.
Congratulating the Qatari government on the best-ever hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022, the envoy noted that the event was equally a matter of pride and honour for Pakistanis. “Unprecedented preparations and participation of a large number of football fans has proved to the world that Qatar is capable of hosting an impressive and outstanding edition of the FIFA World Cup,” he said, while lauding the impeccable preparations undertaken by Qatar in hosting this mega event for the first time in the Middle East and the Islamic world.
Sialkot-based Forward Sports company is one of two manufacturers that provided FIFA with match balls for the event. The other manufacturer was from China. Sialkot is known for manufacturing sports, leather and surgical goods.
“It is a matter of great pride and honour to be appointed as Pakistan’s ambassador to Qatar. I have earlier visited Qatar on three occasions and most recently in 2017. The pace with which the country has developed itself is praise-worthy. The purpose of today’s meeting is to get to know more about the members of vibrant Pakistani community in Qatar and introduce myself to them,” remarked Dr Aejaz, who has served as ambassador to Hungary before coming to Qatar.
Born in Peshawar, Pakistan, he holds an MBBS degree. He joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1992. He has held various diplomatic assignments before coming to Qatar including at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad as Section Officer (1994-1997 and 2000-2002), Director (2009-2011) and Director General (2016-2018). From 2018 to 2019, he served as Additional Secretary (Afghanistan & West Asia) and worked closely with regional and international partners including the US, China and Russia in taking the ongoing Afghan peace initiative forward.
He has held various diplomatic assignments in Pakistani missions abroad: Kabul (1997-2000), Stockholm (2002-2005), Colombo (2006-2008), Paris (2011-2014) and Cairo (2014-2015).
He noted with pride that Pakistani community in Qatar is very compact and living in unity and harmony here for decades having earned good reputation for themselves. “It is a matter of honour that Qatari leadership look at Pakistanis with great esteem due to their hard work and dedication,” said the envoy who is yet to present his credentials.
He said overseas Pakistanis have always played an important role in strengthening the economy of the country by sending much-needed foreign remittances.
The Pakistani workforce in Qatar, the envoy noted, has been increasing with the passage of time and there are currently around 250,000 Pakistanis living in Qatar. He said that efforts will be made so that more semi-skilled and skilled Pakistanis can find employment opportunities in
Qatar.
Pakistan’s exports to Qatar, he noted, have increased manifolds, especially seen in a surging demand for Pakistani meat. “We also need to work on enhancing Qatari investments in different projects in Pakistan,” added the envoy.
He noted that Pakistan’s tourism sector has enormous potential which can contribute significantly to economic growth. The country has some of the world's highest mountains, glaciers, lakes, deserts and natural sceneries and has been very popular destinations for adventurers and tourists.
The envoy invited community members to feel free in suggesting ideas for the betterment of their motherland.
“[Pakistani] Embassy’s doors are open for all Pakistanis. I have constituted a committee of embassy officers to look into suggestions or complaints submitted by the community members,” remarked the envoy while underling the importance of the use of electronic media.
“It will be my priority to provide all details related to counsellor services digitally for the convenience of the community members. Community members will be able use a QR code to seek important information about consular services while sitting in the comfort of their homes,” he said, adding that this is part of the embassy’s efforts to digitalise services and ensure efficient delivery to community members.
Dr Aejaz underlined that he was fortunate to have a team of highly qualified and experienced officers at the embassy who were ready to serve the community in the best way possible.
He said he was very happy that the Pakistani business community in Qatar is well-established and has played an important role in the development and progress of Qatar and Pakistan.
The embassy, he assured, will render every possible support to strengthen its activities.
Earlier, Community Welfare Attache Waheed Ullah Khan welcomed the audience.
