Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived here on a two-day official visit and was accorded a red carpet reception. The Qatari emir, along with a high-level delegation including ministers, landed at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi and was accorded a red carpet welcome. He was received by Prime Minister Imran Khan who personally drove the visiting dignitary from the airport to the Prime Minister House.
The plane carrying the emir had flags of both Pakistan and Qatar installed on it and a JF-17 squadron of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) saluted the guest in a magnificent fly past. The visiting dignitary was also given a 21-gun salute and two children presented bouquets to the guest. The Prime Minister introduced members of his cabinet to the guest who included Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari and others.
The route from Nur Khan Airbase to Red Zone Islamabad has been adorned with portraits of visiting guest as well as the flags of both the countries. Upon his arrival at the Prime Minister House, a smartly turned out contingent representing Army, Navy and Air Force presented guard of honour to the visiting dignitary. The emir of Qatar inspected the guard of honor while national anthems of the two countries were also played on the occasion.
The Prime Minister introduced the distinguished guests with the members of the cabinet and the federal ministers. Imran Khan was also introduced with the members of Qatari delegation. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also planted a sapling at the lawn of Prime Minister House as per tradition. He is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of the Prime Minister.
Earlier, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani who is also deputy prime minister arrived at Nur Khan Airbase along with a Qatari delegation.
Qureshi received his Qatari counterpart and also held one-on-one meeting in which they discussed the bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, the Foreign Office said. It stated that Qureshi said that Pakistan gives special importance to its relations with Qatar.
He said that Imran Khan visited Qatar in January this year during which measures to further strengthen bilateral relations came under discussion. Qureshi further said that Pakistanis living in Qatar are playing the role of bridge between the two countries. Trade volume between the two countries has crossed $2.5 billion mark, he added.