Pakistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, with the Ambassador of Pakistan to the State of Qatar, Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, inaugurating the new building of Pakistan Embassy in Doha.
Pakistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent visit to Qatar was continuity of contacts to deepen ties between the two countries.
“Pakistan wants to deepen its strong ties with Qatar to forge a long-term partnership,” he said while addressing Pakistani community after inaugurating new building of Pakistan embassy in Doha.
“Prime Minister in his brief visit to Qatar on Thursday talked on future ties and how to strengthen them and the visit was for our national interest as we intend to develop enduring relations with Qatar,” he added.
He said that Pakistan could provide skilled people for service sector to Qatar for 2022 FIFA World Cup preparations. “Pakistan seeks more space for employment of its workforce so that Pakistani professionals can play their role in the construction of Qatar as they have been doing in the past.”
Qureshi said that due to geographic proximity, Qatar and Pakistan could help each other in many ways. “Pakistan can help Qatar for its food security while Qatar can fulfil our growing energy needs. It is a win-win situation for both the sides.” The Minister of Foreign Affairs further said that like Qatar Pakistan was promoting its tourism sector with tremendous beauty of its northern areas.
Talking on the US-Taliban peace agreement, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan said that the pact would prove beneficial not only for Pakistan and Afghanistan but for the whole region.
“The peace and stability will open new vistas of progress and development providing immense opportunities for bilateral trade. The peace agreement will increase regional connectivity required for Pakistan’s energy needs.”
Qureshi said that peace in Afghanistan would remove obstacles in way of implementation of TAPI Pipeline and CASA 1000 projects thus bringing hydro-power and gas to Pakistani industries and domestic consumers at economical price.
“Pakistan being an energy deficient country is facing bad effects on its industrial production and economic growth due to high gas and electricity costs.”
He said that the US-Taliban agreement was a new journey towards peace. “Peace in Pakistan is linked with peace in Afghanistan. We, our forces and citizens, by giving numerous sacrifices have brought the country from terrorism to tourism and today the international community is also recognising our sacrifices.”
Qureshi said that Pakistan had honoured its promise with the world for a peaceful settlement of dispute in Afghanistan. “I am representing Pakistan in signing of the peace deal. Today the world admits Pakistan's role in this regard.” He said that the government was taking all out measures to facilitate overseas Pakistanis.
A large number of Pakistani community members attended the inauguration ceremony. Located in the diplomatic area, the new building of the Pakistan embassy covers an area of 8150 square metres.
Fourteen counters have been set up at the consular hall for facilitation of the Pakistani community, besides a token calling system for the applicants. The consular hall has the seating capacity for 300 people with separate waiting rooms for males and females.
