VIDEO: Qatar rolls out red carpet for PM Shahbaz Sharif

DOHA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was accorded a red carpet welcome as he landed in Doha on a two-day official visit to hold “in-depth consultations” with the leadership and interact with the business community to highlight Pakistan’s investment potential.

As the prime minister landed at the Doha airport, he was warmly received by Qatar’s Minister of Transport Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti.

On the invitation of the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, this is the prime minister’s first visit to Qatar since assuming office in April 2022.

The prime minister is accompanied by the federal ministers and will hold “in-depth consultations” with the Qatari leadership.

The visit comes as a $2 billion grant from Qatar was confirmed in bilateral support to help ease the South Asian nation’s funding crunch and the consequent risk of default.

During the PM’s meetings, the two sides will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on advancing energy-related cooperation, deepening trade and investment ties, and exploring greater employment opportunities for Pakistanis in Qatar.

“Leaving for Qatar today at the invitation of my brother HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. The visit will renew the bond of brotherhood & friendship between our two countries,” the prime minister wrote earlier on Twitter before his departure.

He said Pakistan wanted to transform the historical bilateral relationship into a “more robust strategic relationship.”

He said that during his interactions with market and business leaders, he would highlight the “exciting investment opportunities” in Pakistan’s various sectors such as renewable energy, food security, industrial and infrastructure development, tourism and hospitality.