Qatar expresses pride in Pakistan’s achievements, agrees to expand cooperation in defense, agriculture
President Asif Ali Zardari met 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 his country was very proud of Pakistan and its achievements. He praised the role of the Pakistani community in Qatar, expressing hope to see its numbers grow further. President Zardari conveyed to the Amir the best wishes of the government and people of Pakistan and praised Qatar’s remarkable progress under his visionary leadership.
During the meeting, the Emir termed the recent defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as a positive and timely step. He noted that Pakistan occupies a unique position in the global landscape, simultaneously maintaining strong relations with China, Western countries and Gulf countries.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement,” declaring that “any aggression against either country will be considered an aggression against both,” according to a joint Pak-Saudi statement.
Read: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia sign defense agreement
The agreement 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 bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, as well as the 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 and His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, signed the “Agreement strategic mutual defense”, the statement said.
He added that the agreement “reflects the common commitment of the two countries to strengthen 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 common deterrence against any aggression.”
The agreement states that any aggression against either country will be considered aggression against both.”
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President Zardari proposed expanding cooperation in the areas of defence, defense production, agriculture and food security. The Emir welcomed these suggestions and directed the relevant Qatari authorities to establish immediate contact with their Pakistani counterparts to advance collaboration.
The President also praised Qatar’s role in hosting the Doha talks and its constructive contribution to regional peace, particularly with regard to Afghanistan. The Emir expressed optimism that Pakistan and Afghanistan would overcome the current challenges and move towards mutual understanding.
After 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 Ambassador to Qatar were also present in the meeting.
