Introduction

Pakistan’s relations with Qatar are firmly grounded in shared faith, values, and mutual goodwill. Bilateral ties have been cordial since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. Pakistan’s first Ambassador to Qatar Hakim M. Ahsan opened the Mission on 9^th January 1973 in Doha.

2. Pakistan-Qatar relations have become even stronger and more multi-faceted over the years as the leadership regularly engaged with each other both at the highest and the institutional level. The two countries enjoy similarity of views on a number of regional and international issues.

2. Pakistan values its relations with Qatar as a strategic partner in the region and has consistently worked towards enhancing mutual cooperation across diverse fields, including trade & investment, education & IT, food security, tourism & hospitality, etc. Economic partnerships, strategic interests, presence of a significantly large diaspora and cultural ties are some of the important constituents of this relationship.  

Consultation Mechanisms

4. Pakistan and Qatar have several institutional consultation mechanisms to enhance cooperation in a number of areas. These mechanisms include:
   1. Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC)
   2. Joint Ministerial Commission
   3. Joint Business Council
   4. Working Group on Trade & Investment
   5. Joint Committee on Labour
   6. Staff Talks for Cooperation in Defense

Defence Cooperation

5. Defence cooperation which began in the early 1980s, is a major pivot of bilateral relations with Qatar. This has been formalized through multiple agreements and protocols. Regular exchange of high-level visits from military and defense leadership of both countries, training human resource of Qatar’s military institutions, institutional dialogue mechanism between the armed forces and participation in joint military exercises are some of the important aspects of this growing relationship.
6. Pakistan Armed forces joined the QAF in the security of FIFA World Cup. Pakistan deployed a contingent of 4058 personnel of Pakistan Army, Navy and Air-Force and 150 personnel of Military Police. Pakistan Navy Ship TABUK docked at Umm al Houl Naval Base in Qatar to provide seaward security for the World Cup. Pakistan Armed forces were also engaged in the security of Arab Cup which took place in Doha in November 2021.
7. In addition to cooperation in the field of Defence Trainings and supply of equipment, both countries have signed a MoU between the National Defence University in Islamabad and the Strategic Studies Centre (SSC) in Qatar in the field of Academic Research and Cooperative Activities in 2016.

People to People Contacts, Education, Culture etc

8. Pakistani diaspora acts as an important social and cultural bridge and contributes actively in the economies of the two countries. Pakistan’s vibrant community in Qatar, in coordination with the Embassy and Qatar’s Ministry of Culture organizes several events throughout the year to promote Pakistan’s rich cultural traditions. Pakistan’s pavilion at the Doha Expo 2023 also showcased Pakistan’s exquisite craftsmanship reflecting Pakistan’s unique culture and heritage. Pakistani artists also painted large murals using the techniques of Truck art during the FIFA World Cup 2022.

8. Qatar has also been actively undertaking social and development initiatives in Pakistan. Qatar extended much needed support to Pakistan during Covid-19 pandemic, including provision of health supplies and also offered financial support for purchasing the Covid-19 vaccines. Following the disastrous floods in Pakistan in 2022, Qatar pledged USD 25 million in assistance to Pakistan, at the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan held on 9 January 2023 at Geneva. Moreover, Qatar Charity in partnership with UNICEF implemented several interventions in the field of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in Punjab and Sindh provinces, benefitting thousands of people.

Education Cooperation

10. In the field of education, Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training Pakistan and Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), in cooperation with the global education foundation Education Above All (EAA) signed an agreement in March 2022 to provide quality education for out of school children, through EAA’s Educate A Child programme. EAA has partnered with Asian Development Bank to enrol 960,000 of some of the poorest Out of School Children (OSSC) into primary education by 2025. It has contributed to the education of about 1.33 million of OSSC in Pakistan through various projects implemented since 2012 and has contributed more than $36 million through ‘Educate a Child’ Program.

Diaspora

18. Qatar is host to almost 300,000 Pakistanis, nearly 5% of the total population. This is a significant number considering that native Qatari population forms only 12% of the total population in Qatar. Qatar is a significant employer of Pakistani manpower.

19. Pakistani diaspora is playing an important role in almost all development sectors of Qatar. High-skilled Pakistani professionals for instance in health, education, engineering, finance as well as Qatar’s public service constitute almost 10% of the diaspora whereas semi-skilled and unskilled work force dominating the construction and transport sectors constitute almost 90% of Pakistani diaspora in Qatar.

20. Even during Covid-19 pandemic, Pakistanis came to Qatar in record numbers, touching the historical high figures of 37,987 (2021) and 58,000 (2022) (statistics of Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment). This upward trend is partly due to the Amir of Qatar’s interest in importing additional workforce from Pakistan that he has expressed in his various interactions with the leadership of Pakistan. The trend has continued with 55,122 Pakistani workers arriving in Qatar in the year 2023.

21. Mission’s efforts to expand employment opportunities for Pakistan’s skilled labor in the Qatari market led to signing of several Memorandums of Understanding and Letters of Intent between the Government of Pakistan and private and public companies in Qatar.

22. The Mission actively engages with the community to ensure their welfare and address various issues faced by them including consular matters, labor-related issues etc.