Qatari FM arrives in Pakistan amid Mideast tension

Qatari foreign minister is expected to hold meetings with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz.

Bilateral ties between Pakistan and Qatar, matters related to the Middle East and some regional and world affairs will be discussed in the meetings.

The visit is taking place at a time when Qatar and Saudi Arabia with some Arab states are at odds in diplomatic ties.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia both have strategic ties with Pakistan.

Pakistan and Qatar are close strategic partners and the trade volume between the two countries has increased by 300 percent after they signed multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal last year.

Under the $ 16 billion deal Qatar will sell LNG to Pakistan for 16 years to meet domestic energy requirements. Right now the bilateral trade volume between the two countries is almost $ 1 billion.

Earlier Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani during a meeting with Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Doha had also sought assistance during forthcoming Football World Cup in Qatar including provision of manpower.

The name of a Qatari prince is also appearing in a financial corruption case against the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pending before the Supreme Court.

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