New era of partnership begins as Qatar commits $3bn to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar announced on Friday that Qatar will invest $3 billion in various sectors of Pakistan following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's successful two-day official visit.

"Qatar had pledged to invest $3 billion in Pakistan," Tarar said at a press briefing in Islamabad today.

The announcement came after Prime Minister Shehbaz returned to the country following his two-day official visit to Doha.

During the press conference, the information minister said there was considerable development in bilateral ties between Pakistan and Qatar during the premier's visit, where he was greeted warmly by key officials in Doha.

"PM Shehbaz had met with Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and business delegations there.

They pledged to strengthen collaboration in various fields, including investment, trade, culture, etc."

During his tour, Premier Shehbaz also met with a delegation from the Qatar Businessmen Association (QBA), where he emphasized multiple opportunities in Pakistan's energy, infrastructure, and finance sectors, presenting the country as an appealing investment destination.

The QBA delegation, led by Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani, included prominent Qatari business executives representing significant sectors of the Qatari economy.

He added that the Qatari leadership had honored the premier by hosting a Pakistan-specific art and architecture exhibition, referring to the "MANZAR" exhibition in Doha, which was jointly inaugurated by PM Shehbaz and Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at the National Museum of Qatar and organized by the Art Mill Museum.

The exhibition examines Pakistan's evolving artistic journey from the 1940s to the present, reflecting the two countries' strong cultural relations.

Tarar said the gestures demonstrated Qatar's leadership's goodwill toward Pakistan.