Pak PM to visit Qatar to sign multi-billion dollars gas deal

Islamabad, Feb 9: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Qatar from tomorrow to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields and sign a mega USD 15 billion natural gas deal that will enable the energy-starved country to import the non-toxic gas for 15 years.

Sharif will be accompanied by a high-level delegation on the two-day visit beginning tomorrow and have meetings with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, according to a statement by the Foreign Office. The two sides would also hold wide-ranging delegation level talks.

"A number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the field of Health, Radio & Television, Education & Research and a Long-term Sale/Purchase Agreement (SPA) of LNG would be concluded by both sides," FO said.

An official of ministry of petroleum and natural resource said that USD 15 billion LNG agreement will enable Pakistan to import gas for 15 years.

"The agreement will help address energy shortages in the country and play an important role in economic development," he said.

The FO said that the main focus of the Prime Minister's visit and interaction with the Qatari leadership will be on further enhancement of bilateral relations in various fields, including energy cooperation, trade and investment, defence and increase in employment opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Qatar.

Both leaders would also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Qatar hosts more than 115,000 Pakistanis.

"Pakistan gives great importance to its ties with Qatar. The two countries enjoy friendly and fraternal relations marked by close cooperation. Both sides share perception on various regional and international issues," it said.

PTI