Qatar expresses pride in Pakistan’s achievements and agrees to expand cooperation in defense and agriculture.
President Asif Ali Zardari met the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha, where both leaders reaffirmed their determination to strengthen the historic ties between Pakistan and Qatar.
The Emir of Qatar said that his country is very proud of Pakistan and its achievements. He praised the role of the Pakistani community in Qatar and expressed the hope that their numbers would 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 occupies a unique position in the global landscape, maintaining strong relations with China, Western nations and Gulf countries simultaneously.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a historic “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement,” declaring that “any aggression against either country will be considered aggression against both,” according to a joint statement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Read: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia 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 almost eight decades between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and based on the ties 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 ‘Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement,'” the statement said. read.
He added that the agreement “reflects the shared commitment of both nations to improve 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 joint deterrence against any aggression.”
The agreement establishes that any aggression against either of the two countries will be considered an aggression against both.”
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President Zardari proposed expanding cooperation in defense, defense production, agriculture and food security. The Emir welcomed these suggestions and directed the relevant Qatari authorities to initiate 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.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Emir accepted President Zardari’s invitation to visit Pakistan and announced that he would make the visit early next year. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar were also present during the meeting.
