ISLAMABAD, JUNE 22 (DNA): Qatar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani arrived at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi Saturday afternoon.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was accorded a red carpet reception with Prime Minister Imran Khan personally receiving him warmly.

He was given a twenty one cannon salute by the Pakistan Armed Forces.Pakistan ace fighting jet, the J-17 Thunder accompanied the Emir’s plane before it’s landing to pay their respects to the high ranking dignitary.

The plane carrying the Emir had flags of both Pakistan and Qatar installed on it, reflecting the importance Qatar gives to its relations with Pakistan. A high-level delegation, including ministers, is accompanying the Qatari Emir.

Prime Minister introduced members of his cabinet with the guest.  They included Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfikar Bukhari and others.

The route from Nur Khan Airbase to Red Zone Islamabad is adorned with portraits of visiting guest as well as the flags of both countries.

The Qatari emir, who is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising key ministers and senior officials, according to the Foreign Office.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi received his Qatari counterpart. They held one on one meeting in which they discussed bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

Foreign Minister Qureshi said Pakistan gives special importance to its relations with Qatar. Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Qatar in January this year during which measures to further strengthen bilateral relations came under discussion.

He said 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.

In a statement prior to the arrival, Ambassador of Qatar to Pakistan Saqar Bin Mubarak Al Mansouri said the visit of the Qatari emir will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations and added it will also establish a future partnership based relationship between the two countries.

The envoy said the emir will discuss bilateral relations between the two countries as well as a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern with Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Dr Arif Alvi.

He highlighted that Qatar and Pakistan enjoy good relations and they both shared a common vision to strengthen them in various fields.=DNA

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