0
DOHA: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabar Al Thani agreed on Monday to enhance cooperation in diverse fields.
They discussed ways to promote trade and investment compatible to level of ties between the two countries at a meeting held here at the Amiri Diwan, the office of the Qatari leader.
The two held talks on different issues, including joint development of the hydropower sector, identification of sources of financing, exploration of investment opportunities in the energy sector, rehabilitation of existing hydropower plants and infrastructure development.
Mr Gilani said Pakistan was interested in importing from Qatar 500 million cubic feet of liquefied natural gas per day.
Qatar’s minister for energy will visit Pakistan this month to discuss the issue with Pakistani officials.
Mr Gilani informed his hosts that a ministry had been set up to impart technical and professional training to Pakistanis, so that they were able to work in the Arab countries.
On the Afghan issue, he said Pakistan wanted a stable, prosperous and independent Afghanistan and would support any reconciliation process which was led and owned by Afghans and did not cause instability in Pakistan.
He appreciated the initiatives of the Qatari government for facilitating efforts aimed at bringing peace to Afghanistan.
Mr Gilani said that Pakistan wanted good relations with its neighbours, including Afghanistan and India.
The Qatari prime minister said his country was ready to invest up to $5 billion in agriculture, tourism and infrastructure and other sectors in Pakistan. He suggested that Pakistan should hold an exhibition of its products in Qatar and offered assistance in this regard.
Pakistan being an important neighbour of Afghanistan should be involved in the Afghan peace process, he said, adding that Qatar would be happy to facilitate the peace efforts.
The Qatari leader briefed Prime Minister Gilani on the situation in Syria and the stance taken by the Arab world and member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.—APP
