The government's top officials are maintaining silence about the investment commitments and/or deposits reported in the media after the visit of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Background discussions with the officials who closely monitored and were involved in the engagements with the Emir indicate that there was no concrete commitment for investment of $ 3 billion.
Qatar News Agency attributed the following quote to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs: "The Qatari-Pakistani economic partnership will amount to $9 billion. Qatar affirms its aspiration for further development in the relations between the two countries at all political, economic, sports and cultural levels." Soon after the news ran in electronic media, Prime Minister Advisor on Finance, Economic Affairs and Revenue, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh tweeted: "want to thank the Emir of Qatar for announcing $ 3 billion in deposits and direct investments for Pakistan and for Qatar's affirmation to further develop relations between the countries".
However, senior officials maintain that they are not in the loop about any investment or deposits committed during the Emir's visit to Islamabad, adding that if that is indeed the case then the information is limited to the very highest level.
Insiders claim a business delegation was due to accompany the Emir of Qatar but in its absence B2B meetings were scrapped. They further maintain that the Qatari delegation showed an interest in acquiring a contract of administration at three airports; this was rejected by Pakistani authorities as this issue is dealt with by the Civil Aviation Authority. The Qatari delegation was offered to invest in power sector, chemical sector and some other sectors but not in those sectors where Saudi investment is expected or committed.
Pakistan wants Qatar to supply LNG on deferred payment for three years on similar terms to what Saudi Arabia has extended to Pakistan on purchase of oil. According to a tentative schedule, the Emir of Qatar was to fly to Nathia Gali in a helicopter and have a meeting with the Prime Minister and his team but the schedule was changed.
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