ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing a ceremony in Islamabad marking Qatar’s National Day, celebrated the enduring and deepening partnership between Pakistan and the Gulf state. He underscored the “long-standing brotherly relations” between the two nations, expressing happiness at Qatar’s significant development under the leadership of its Emir.
In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized that bilateral relations are strengthening consistently. He pointed to Qatar’s successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022 as a clear reflection of its leadership’s vision for peace and development. The ceremony, attended by the Chairman Senate and other dignitaries, also featured a cake-cutting to mark the occasion.
PM Sharif further highlighted the multifaceted nature of the partnership, spanning energy, trade, defence, and human resources. “Pakistan and Qatar are determined to work together for a common prosperous future,” he stated. He also commended the vital role played by the Pakistani diaspora in Qatar, noting their important contribution to the development of the “brotherly country.”
In a notable remark, the Prime Minister referenced a “Transparency Report,” framing it as an acknowledgment of his government’s efforts to promote transparency and good governance. This comment appeared aimed at a domestic audience amidst ongoing economic challenges.
The reaffirmation of strong ties with Qatar is seen as strategically important for Pakistan, particularly in seeking increased investment and collaboration in the energy sector to bolster its own economy. The event served as a public diplomatic gesture to reinforce a key regional alliance.
Pakistan has called for the world’s oceans to be treated as zones of peace, cooperation and collective prosperity, while urging the United Nations to uphold international law governing maritime affairs.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly’s annual debate on oceans and the law of the sea, Pakistan’s First Secretary Zulfiqar Ali voiced concern over attempts to assert dominance at sea or undermine the rights of coastal states. He stressed that such actions threaten regional stability and weaken the global rules-based maritime order.
Zulfiqar Ali said the world is confronting a series of marine environmental crises, which require stronger multilateral cooperation and full respect for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He noted that Pakistan signed the convention earlier this year, reaffirming its commitment to lawful, equitable and sustainable use of the oceans.
