Pakistan, Qatar reaffirm commitment to deepen economic partnership to higher strategic level

• PM Shehbaz, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discuss regional and international developments of mutual interest, including situation in Iran and Afghanistan

• Both leaders emphasize importance of dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful resolution of disputes, agree to maintain close coordination on key regional issues

• PM reiterates Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening defence partnership with Qatar

 DOHA/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, on Tuesday reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthen the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Qatar, expressing satisfaction over the positive trajectory of political engagement and underscoring the importance of enhancing cooperation across all areas of mutual interest.

The reaffirmation came during a high-level meeting attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, among other senior officials.

Doha: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meets with the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. pic.twitter.com/sgV0IQAtHB

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 24, 2026

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the two leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, reviewing ongoing collaborations and exploring avenues for further deepening political, economic, and institutional engagement.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the Amir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the… pic.twitter.com/YQPYpXnXK5

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 24, 2026

During the meeting, the two leaders reiterated their shared commitment to enhancing the fraternal relationship that has historically underpinned ties between the two countries. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani reaffirmed Qatar’s dedication to elevating economic partnership to a higher strategic level, highlighting the importance of translating strong political relations into tangible economic outcomes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in turn, underscored Pakistan’s intent to expand bilateral collaboration in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, manpower exports, and other sectors of mutual benefit.

The discussions also encompassed regional and international developments of mutual concern. Both leaders emphasized the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the region.

They reaffirmed their support for closer cooperation within multilateral fora and agreed to maintain continuous coordination on key regional issues, reflecting the shared resolve of Pakistan and Qatar to solidify their strategic partnership across political, economic, and security domains.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally extended an invitation to His Highness the Amir to visit Pakistan, which Sheikh Tamim accepted with enthusiasm. The PMO indicated that the visit is expected to take place later this year, reinforcing the ongoing high-level engagement between the two countries.

Engagement on Regional Security and Stability

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence, to discuss regional developments, including the evolving situations in Iran and Afghanistan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs of the State of Qatar calls on the Prime Minister

His Excellency, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs of the State of Qatar,… pic.twitter.com/w1KLT98BAZ

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 24, 2026

According to the PMO, both leaders emphasized the importance of dialogue, de-escalation, and collective efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. They underscored the need to avoid potential conflicts through proactive communication and cooperation, reflecting Pakistan’s consistent advocacy for diplomacy and regional stability.

Doha : Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs of the State of Qatar H.E. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. pic.twitter.com/BlBx2zjLiW

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 24, 2026

The meeting also provided a platform to review bilateral defence and security cooperation, with both sides acknowledging the strong historic ties between the armed forces of Pakistan and Qatar. Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over ongoing military collaboration and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening defence partnerships. The Qatari delegation, in turn, appreciated the professionalism and expertise of the Pakistan armed forces and signaled Qatar’s interest in deepening defence ties with Islamabad.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with a delegation of the Qatar Businessmen Association led by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani during his official visit to Qatar. The Prime Minister appreciated QBA role in strengthening economic linkages and underscored the importance… pic.twitter.com/hGjAN4HTun

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 24, 2026

Enhancing Trade and Economic Cooperation

Economic diplomacy featured prominently in the Prime Minister’s agenda. In a dedicated session with Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of Qatar and Chairman of the Pak-Qatar Joint Business Taskforce, PM Shehbaz underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral trade volumes and diversifying Pakistan’s exports to Qatar, particularly in agricultural products, food items, and value-added goods.

The discussion reviewed existing trade and economic cooperation and expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in Pakistan–Qatar relations. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to implementing agreed decisions from the 6th Session of the Pakistan–Qatar Joint Ministerial Commission, aiming to translate diplomatic engagement into concrete commercial outcomes. The meeting also highlighted Pakistan’s investment-friendly reforms and the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in attracting foreign investment, with Qatar expressing interest in exploring opportunities across multiple sectors.

A key outcome of the discussion was the decision to convene a meeting of the Pak-Qatar Joint Business Taskforce during the month of Ramazan to deliberate on tangible investment proposals and explore avenues for Qatari investment in Pakistan. The session emphasized the shared resolve of both countries to deepen trade, investment, and industrial collaboration, leveraging political goodwill to facilitate private-sector-led economic growth.

Minister of State for Foreign Trade of Qatar H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. pic.twitter.com/8lscTiAgwm

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 24, 2026

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi accompanied the Prime Minister during these economic engagements, highlighting the high-level coordination across government departments to ensure alignment between diplomacy and commercial strategy.

Private-Sector Engagement and Business Linkages

Further strengthening bilateral economic ties, a delegation from the Qatar Businessmen Association (QBA), led by its chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The premier lauded the QBA’s constructive role in promoting commercial linkages between the two countries and emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to private-sector-driven engagement as a key pillar of the bilateral partnership.

A delegation of Qatar Businessmen Association calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. pic.twitter.com/T26X5EeTH2

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 24, 2026

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz invited QBA members to explore investment opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, energy, agriculture, technology, and export-oriented manufacturing. The delegation, in turn, expressed keen interest in expanding business-to-business cooperation and exploring avenues for investment in Pakistan, highlighting the complementarity of the two economies.

Both sides agreed to maintain close engagement through upcoming visits of the Pak-Qatar investment taskforce to Doha, as well as hosting business forums in Pakistan to translate discussions into actionable economic partnerships. A key focus is the facilitation of linkages between entrepreneurs and businesses of both countries to enhance private-sector collaboration and drive sustainable trade growth.

Comprehensive Bilateral Agenda

According to the Foreign Office (FO), during his Doha visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to hold comprehensive meetings with Amir Sheikh Tamim and other Qatari officials covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including political engagement, economic collaboration, energy partnerships, and people-to-people exchanges. The discussions are also expected to explore new avenues of cooperation in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure development, and manpower export, consolidating the multi-dimensional nature of Pakistan–Qatar relations.

Additionally, meetings with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Minister for Foreign Trade Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed aim to cement ongoing defence, economic, and trade initiatives. The delegation from the Qatar Businessmen Association is also scheduled to call on the Prime Minister during his stay in Doha, reinforcing the link between government-level diplomacy and private-sector engagement.

Official Reception and Delegation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived at Hamad International Airport last night, where he was received by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar Muhammad Aamer, and other senior officials. The Prime Minister is accompanied by a high-level official delegation including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, signaling the importance Islamabad attaches to its relations with Doha.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف امیر قطر عزت مآب شیخ تمیم بن حمد الثانی کی دعوت پر دو روزہ سرکاری دورے پر قطر پہنچ گئے۔

دوحہ کے کنگ حمد بین الاقوامی ہوائی اڈے پر قطر کے وزیر مملکت, وزارت خارجہ امور عزت مآب ڈاکٹر محمد بن عبد العزیز الخلیفی، قطر میں تعینات پاکستانی سفیر محمد عامر اور… pic.twitter.com/fWImzHXH9a

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 23, 2026

The series of high-level engagements, encompassing political dialogue, defence collaboration, trade, and private-sector engagement, reflects the shared determination of Pakistan and Qatar to further consolidate their strategic partnership. Through these meetings, both countries aim to leverage strong political relations to achieve tangible economic outcomes, expand defence cooperation, promote regional stability, and enhance mutual prosperity.

Doha: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is being received by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of State of Qatar, H.E. Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi at King Hammad International Airport, as he arrives in Qatar on two day official visit. pic.twitter.com/mjP4FfwBRy

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 23, 2026

The Doha visit highlights Pakistan’s proactive approach in cultivating regional and international partnerships and underlines the commitment of both Islamabad and Doha to sustained collaboration across political, economic, and security dimensions.

With follow-up mechanisms such as the Pak-Qatar Joint Business Taskforce and ministerial commissions, both sides have set the stage for long-term, structured cooperation that benefits governments, businesses, and citizens alike.

The interactions between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, complemented by discussions with Qatari ministers and business leaders, underscore the comprehensive and multi-layered nature of Pakistan-Qatar relations.

From defence cooperation and regional security dialogue to trade, investment, and private-sector engagement, the visit reflects a mutual resolve to deepen bilateral relations, strengthen institutional partnerships, and convert strategic political goodwill into concrete economic and social outcomes.

The forthcoming visits, taskforce meetings, and business forums are expected to further translate dialogue into action, ensuring that Pakistan–Qatar relations continue to thrive across all spheres of engagement.