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Gilani arrives in Qatar on 3-day official visit
DOHA: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani arrived here on Monday to hold talks with the leadership of brotherly Gulf state aimed at further strengthening ties in multiple areas.The Prime Minister, who is on a three-day official visit, was received by Qatar's Minister for Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada at the Doha International Airport. A red carpet welcome was given to the Prime Minister as he alighted from his special aircraft.
A contingent of Qatar's armed forces presented him a salute.
Ambassador Sardar Ahmed Khanzada, senior officials and Pakistanis in Qatar were also present to greet the Prime Minister.
The prime minister was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain, Minister for Technical and Vocational Education Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Member of the National Assembly Muneer Aurakzai.
Soon after arrival, Gilani and his entourage left for the Amiri Diwan - the office of Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, to hold talks.
PM Gilani's visit is aimed at strengthening ties with the Gulf state in multiple areas including import of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to meet the country's energy demands.
He will also discuss with the Qatari leadership the issue of finalization of transnational formalities to import LNG at the earliest, a Foreign Office official said.
Pakistan is interested in importing 500 million cubic feet per day of LNG from Qatar that produces 77 million tonnes per annum of LNG. The imported LNG will be initially provided to the power houses in the country to generate 2,500 megawatt electricity.
The two governments are likely to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pakistan's Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Qatar's Ministry of Energy.
The official said the prime minister will take up the matter of absorbing Pakistani skilled labour in Qatar. The demand of two million work force is anticipated for Qatar's various infrastructure projects for holding FIFA 2022 World Cup in Doha, he said.
Gilani will hold separate meetings with the Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Diar Real Estate Investors and the representatives of Qatari Business Association.
He will address the Pakistani community living in Qatar and attend a prize distribution ceremony at Pakistan Education Centre. About 87,000 Pakistanis comprise 33 percent of the Qatar's population.
Pakistan's exports to Qatar mainly comprise food and agriculture products dominated by rice and meat, while the imports are petrochemicals. The remittances from Qatar increased by US $ 354 million in 2010 as compared to US $ 339.51 million in 2009.
Pakistan offers one seat each in M.B.B.S, B.D.S (Dentistry), B.Sc (engineering) and B.Pharmacy to Qatari students annually under Technical Assistance Programme.
Courtesy www.geo.tv