ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called on Qatari investors to take advantage of Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), describing it as a key gateway for expanding trade and investment between the two nations.
During a meeting in Islamabad with Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, the prime minister highlighted a broad range of opportunities for cooperation in energy, agriculture, food security, tourism, infrastructure and information technology.
According to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, Mr Shehbaz said relations between the two countries were anchored in “shared faith, mutual respect and common aspirations,” and that Qatar remained an “important partner and regional mediator.”
He praised Doha’s efforts in mediating talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan alongside Turkiye, which recently led to a border ceasefire following several days of tension. He also thanked the Qatari leadership for its continued diplomatic support on international and regional issues.
Sheikh Faisal, for his part, reaffirmed Qatar’s intention to increase its economic footprint in Pakistan and delivered greetings from the Qatari leadership. Both sides agreed to strengthen business-to-business links and convert bilateral commitments into tangible investment projects.
The meeting coincided with the conclusion of the sixth session of the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Ministerial Commission on Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation, co-chaired by Sheikh Faisal.
During the three-day session, the two countries signed a protocol to formalise future collaboration and implement the emir of Qatar’s earlier commitment to invest $3 billion in Pakistan through the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) or other designated funds.
An official statement said the arrangement would prioritise closer coordination between the QIA and Pakistan’s SIFC to remove procedural bottlenecks and foster a more enabling climate for foreign investors. The SIFC, established in 2023, serves as the government’s central platform for attracting and facilitating strategic investment.
Sheikh Faisal described the Joint Ministerial Commission as an effective mechanism for reviewing ongoing cooperation and identifying new areas for mutually beneficial growth. Both sides agreed to maintain close consultation to ensure that agreed initiatives translate into measurable outcomes.
