Qatari emir arrives in Pakistan on 2-day official visit

Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Saturday arrived on a two-day official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, local media reported.

Al-Thani together with a high-level delegation landed at Islamabad’s Noor Khan airbase, where a red carpet was rolled out for him. Khan and senior ministers of his Cabinet received the Qatari emir.

Earlier, Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdurrahman Al Thani reached Islamabad hours before the Qatari emir’s arrival.

"This visit would further strengthen our already good relations," said Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Several memorandums of understanding and agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation in different areas are expected to be signed between the two countries.

During the visit, Al Thani will hold delegation-level talks with Khan and he will also meet with Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi.

Saqar bin Mubarak Al Mansouri, Qatar's ambassador to Pakistan, said the visit will contribute in strengthening bilateral relations and will establish a partnership-based ties between Doha and Islamabad.

"The relations between the two countries have significantly developed in recent years in energy and economy. The establishment of direct maritime route between Karachi and Doha has helped in increasing the volume of trade between the two countries," Saqar said in a video message.