ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of the state of Qatar Sheikh Saoud Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Wednesday said an investment worth $3 billion would be made in Pakistan.

“During the recent visit of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to Doha, Qatar has announced to make an investment in Pakistan worth $3 billion. The Amir of Qatar has stressed the importance of the brotherly and strategic relations between the two countries and their aspiration to enhance economic partnership by raising trade exchange and promoting investments through the Qatar Investment Authority,” said the ambassador during the celebration of the National Day of Qatar here.

The ambassador said Qatar National Day was a great occasion when the people of Qatar showed cohesion, solidarity and unity in meanings of love for homeland, loyalty to ancestors and fathers and their unforgettable sacrifices.

“It is the day of pride of the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the leader of the process of achievement, development, and promising future,” he said.

“The celebration of Qatar National Day is particularly important this year as it coincides with Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

“Both events are an opportunity for the people of Qatar to show their unity and culture to the world. During this period, visitors to Qatar will learn about the bright aspects of our history and culture and our belief in civilised interaction with other cultures, and our respect and pride in our Arab and Islamic values.”

About relations with Pakistan, he said the state of Qatar and Pakistan shared unique historical ties and enjoyed strong cooperative relations based on solid foundations.

“Our relation has seen remarkable development in the recent years in all fields. We have doubled the number of Pakistanis working in Qatar as the country is now home to about 210,000 Pakistanis. They are participating in the development of Qatar and we appreciate their role in this regard,” he said.

Announcing that the government of Qatar had decided to enhance the number of Pakistanis working in Qatar gradually, Sheikh Abdulrahman said Qatar’s global education foundation, Education Above All (EAA), had partnered with the Asia Development Bank to enroll 960,000 of Pakistan’s poorest out of school children in primary education over the next four years.

The new partnership was part of a concerted effort to bring the country’s most marginalised children into primary level education.

“It is worth mentioning that EAA has already contributed to the education of about 1.3 million out of school children in Pakistan through various projects implemented since 2012 in cooperation with different partners and the total amount of support to education through the educate a child programme was $124 million. Qatar is also supporting Pakistan’s national programme to eradicate polio,” the ambassador said.

Besides assistance during the pandemic, Qatar was among the countries which immediately responded to Pakistan’s call for help two months ago when floods hit the country and sent medical and humanitarian assistance through C-17 aircraft. Qatar’s teams of medics and rescuers also remained busy in the flood-hit areas, he said.

In February 2021, Qatar Petroleum entered into a new long-term sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with Pakistan State Oil (PSO) for the supply of up to three million tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Pakistan.

“This agreement further extends Qatar’s long standing LNG supply relationship with Pakistan and highlights Qatar’s commitment to meeting Pakistan’s LNG requirements,” Sheikh Abdulrahman added.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2022