President Zardari seeks expanded defence cooperation with Qatar

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday met Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani in Doha, where the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in defence and defence production.

According to a statement from the President’s Secretariat, President Zardari proposed expanding defence collaboration, while the Qatari emir assured that relevant authorities would begin discussions with Pakistan immediately.

The meeting also covered broader cooperation in political, economic, and cultural fields, with President Zardari suggesting enhanced partnerships in agriculture and food security. He welcomed Qatar’s growing investment in Pakistan and praised the Gulf nation’s progress under the emir’s leadership.

The Qatari emir expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s role in regional stability and acknowledged the contribution of the Pakistani community to Qatar’s development. He said their numbers should increase in the coming years.

President Zardari lauded Qatar’s global diplomatic role and commended its efforts for humanitarian relief in Gaza. The two leaders reaffirmed their countries’ historic and brotherly relations, based on faith, mutual respect, and shared aspirations for peace and prosperity in the Muslim world.