News
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Afghan peace plan must not affect Pakistan: Gilani* PM says Afghan solution must be left with its people to decide
* Seeks Qatar’s help for free trade agreement with GCC countries
* Sheikh Hamad says Pakistan’s interests will never be compromised
DOHA: Pakistan is in favour of a peaceful outcome of the situation in Afghanistan, but any initiative on the neighbouring country must not affect our country, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday.
He was talking to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani at the Amiri Diwan.
The prime minister proposed for addressing the issues of unemployment and illiteracy in Afghanistan, which he said would help control extremism and terrorism in the long run. He said the solution to ‘the Afghan problem’ must be left with its people to decide. He said that Pakistan had paid a huge price in the war against terrorism, which incurred losses to both lives and the economy.
Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan gave great importance to its relations with Qatar and wanted to explore new avenues of cooperation. He also sought the support of Qatar in finalisation of a free trade agreement with countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
In response, the Qatari emir termed PM Gilani’s visit a fresh start of relations between the two countries after nine years. He assured the PM that Pakistan’s interests would never be compromised in any case. The emir said Qatar wanted to maintain a strategic relationship with Pakistan, regardless of the tactical calculation of profits and losses.
The two sides expressed satisfaction over several agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between the two countries on Monday, mainly on import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), security cooperation, customs and hydroelectric power development.
The Qatari emir expressed willingness to help Pakistan overcome its energy crisis and hoped that the mechanism of early supply of LNG consignment would be done amicably and sooner.
Gilani took up the matter of absorption of Pakistani manpower in various sectors of Qatar. He suggested that workforce from the seven agencies of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas to Qatar would help provide jobs to the locals and restrain their involvement in terrorist activities.
He said Pakistan on the demand of Qatar would send professionals, trained by the Ministry for Technical Education, for the preparatory projects of FIFA 2022 to be held in Doha.
The emir assured Gilani of complete facilitation for holding exhibition of Pakistani products in Qatar, which he said would yield manifold revenue.
The prime minister offered the emir to set up a university in Pakistan in his name, which could become a hub of education. The emir said he would ask his wife Sheikha Mozah, who is also the chairwoman of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, to consider the proposal. Gilani also invited the emir to attend the celebrations of Pakistan Day on March 23 as a chief guest. The emir said he would like to visit Pakistan at the dates of convenience. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk