Pakistan and Qatar have drawn closer to each other with each passing year during the past five decades, Pakistan Ambassador to Qatar HE Dr Muhemmed Aejaz has said.
“Pakistan and Qatar have enjoyed a long-standing relationship based on shared religious and cultural values and common interests at the people’s level during the past five decades,” said the Pakistani ambassador. He was speaking at a reception hosted by the Pakistan embassy to celebrate the 82nd anniversary of Pakistan Resolution Day (23rd March 1940).
“I am proud to say that Pakistan and Qatar have drawn closer to each other every passing year during the past five decades, bringing up new opportunities for cooperation and collaboration in the 21st century,” he said.
Minister for Justice HE Masoud bin Mohammed Al Ameri; Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani; Engineer Ali Al Misnad; and Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, Dean of Diplomatic Corps, attended the event besides members of the diplomatic corps and prominent members of the Pakistani community in Qatar.
“It’s indeed a great honour for me to welcome you all to the Pakistan National Day reception and the launch of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Qatar. Today we are gathered here to celebrate the 82nd anniversary of Pakistan Resolution Day, 23rd March 1940, when the Muslims of the subcontinent demanded to have a separate homeland of their own. Within a span of seven years, Pakistan was born on 14th August 1947 that we commemorate as the Independence Day of Pakistan,” remarked the envoy.
He noted that March 23, 2023 is also special as it marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Qatar. “Surely, it’s a momentous occasion for both our nations and a time to reflect on the deep ties that exist between us, as the leadership and people of both countries are excited to invigorate them further,” he noted.
The two brotherly countries, he said, have enjoyed a long-standing relationship based on shared religious and cultural values and common interests at the people’s level. Over the past five decades, the greatest achievement is the strong foundation of mutual trust and respect that both sides have built together, generation after generation.
“Today our cooperation expands through a broad spectrum of sectors, from bilateral and multilateral political partnership, to cherished mutual economic development goals and from further strengthening of close people-to people-contacts to expansion of trade and technological cooperation into diverse sectors, besides a notable, close cooperation in the fields of security and defense, to name a few.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express our profound and sincere appreciation to the State of Qatar, and especially to the Amir of the State of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his continued support and cooperation towards Pakistan. His repeated expression of brotherly feelings amply supported by strong gestures each time, is the most cherished source of strength for both countries. We are grateful to His Highness for his personal interest in the efforts to achieve our shared goals and build mutually rewarding economic ties,” added the envoy.
The close ties between Pakistan and Qatar have been demonstrated by a regular exchange of high-level visits. Of late, these included the visit of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Pakistan in 2019, and the visits of Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Qatar in 2022 and 2023.
“These leadership level interactions have been instrumental in deepening mutual understanding of each other’s priorities and appreciation of views on issues of bilateral interest. These engagements have also helped to broaden the spectrum of our cooperation from trade, economic and security areas to also include energy, aviation, IT and technological sector, tourism, and food security, in recent years.
“We take pride in the fact that Pakistan has been one of Qatar’s trusted partners, providing human resources and services for development of Qatar’s economy and infrastructure, under His Highness the Amir’s Vision 2030. As a result, over 260,000 strong Pakistani community in Qatar has been part of this process, particularly during the past 12 years. Thy include businessmen, high-level professionals, and skilled and semi-skilled workers. Similarly, Pakistan has been the recipient of Qatari investments in various fields, including oil and gas, real estate, and financial services.
“It also gives me immense pleasure to congratulate Qatar on the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022. This was a monumental achievement, and the world witnessed Qatar’s hospitality, professionalism, and dedication in delivering a spectacular event. FIFA 2022 has been internationally recognised as a great achievement in its own way, and as an unprecedented sporting event in the world.”
Pakistan and its people are particularly proud of the beautiful and convincing manner in which the Qatari leadership and government showcased Islam’s great message of peace, tolerance and humanity to the rest of the world during this event, said the envoy. “This is an unprecedented and highly regarded gesture that has now convinced all those who visited Qatar during FIFA World Cup 2022, to return to Doha once again,” he noted.
“Pakistan is proud to have played a small but significant role in Qatar’s journey towards hosting this historic event. Pakistan was an active partner at every stage of the mega event particularly in the infrastructure development that included construction of iconic Qatari stadiums; provision of fool-proof on-land and sea-ward security during the event, with active participation of our armed forces; as well as in providing volunteers from the large Pakistani community. Building on this success, we look forward to working with our Qatari partners for all the future mega events here.”
The Pakistani community in Qatar, the envoy said, has also made valuable contributions to Qatar’s economy, society, and culture. “We appreciate the support and hospitality extended to them by the people and government of Qatar, year after year. The Embassy of Pakistan in Doha is committed to providing all possible support to our very vibrant community members, and in ensuring their well-being.
“Here, I would like to highlight the Embassy’s drive towards digitization, which has allowed us to better inform our citizens and enhance the efficiency of our operations. Our goal is to provide and educate our community with updated and accurate information on various areas – from labour to education and from guidelines on starting a business here to understanding Qatar’s main focus areas under Vision 2030.
“We remain committed to further enhancing our digital capabilities to help the Pakistani community, in Qatar and elsewhere, to engage more closely and efficiently with the fast evolving mechanisms, work structures and the modern business environment in Qatar,” he said.
The ambassador thanked Muhammad Qayum of Al Wakeel Group, Ahsan Kayani, General Manager of United Bank Limited and Rafiq Hussain, CEO of HADICO Trading and Contracting, for their support in organising the event.
