*A Qatari delegation, led by Sheikh Ali Abdullah Thani al-Thani, called on President Dr Arif Alvi*

Islamabad: President Dr Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan is committed to transform the existing relations with Qatar into a more robust political and economic partnership for the mutual benefits of the two countries. He said that Pakistan and Qatar enjoyed excellent relations which needed to be further strengthened in the areas of trade, economy and investment. The President expressed these views while talking to a visiting Qatari delegation, led by Shiekh Ali Abudllah Thani Al-Thani, member of the Qatari royal family, which called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.
The President informed the delegation that Pakistan offered most liberal and investment-friendly regime in the region and Qatari investors needed to benefit from it. The President welcomed the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)’s interest in investing in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy. He expressed the hope that direct linkage between Karachi and Hamad ports would further enhance bilateral trade between the two countries. He briefed the delegation about the economic performance of Pakistan, saying that Pakistan’s economy was growing well despite the COVID-19 pandemic. He informed that Pakistan’s ranking in the Ease of Doing Business Index had considerably improved and Qatari investors needed to take advantage of the investment-friendly environment.