Pakistan, Qatar vow closer economic, security cooperation

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha on Tuesday, with both sides pledging to deepen cooperation and coordinate on regional stability, Pakistani officials said.

The talks took place during Sharif’s official visit to Qatar and covered political ties, economic collaboration and shared views on regional and global developments.

Senior Pakistani officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Syed Asim Munir, attended the meeting, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

In a statement following the meeting, Sharif said discussions focused on translating long-standing fraternal relations into expanded economic engagement, while also reviewing the regional security environment. He said Pakistan and Qatar would continue to work together to promote peace and stability beyond their immediate region.

A separate statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said the two leaders reviewed the full range of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with the momentum in high-level political contacts. Both sides agreed to broaden cooperation across sectors of mutual interest, it said.

The Qatari emir reaffirmed his country’s commitment to elevating economic ties with Pakistan to a more strategic level, the statement added.

The leaders also exchanged views on international and regional issues, stressing the role of dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful dispute resolution. They agreed to strengthen coordination in multilateral forums and maintain close contact on key regional matters.

Sharif reiterated an invitation for the emir to visit Pakistan, which was accepted. The visit is expected to take place later this year, the statement said.