Pakistan, Qatar sign MoUs to enhance trade, combat money laundering

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Qatar signed three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Saturday, as Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hammad Al Thani arrived in Islamabad on a two-day visit, said an official statement issued by the Foreign Office of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan received the visiting dignitary at the Nur Khan air base where he was given a 21-gun salute. Later, he was also given a tri-service guard of honor during a formal welcome ceremony at the Prime Minister House where he also witnessed fly past of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.
This is the first time in four years that Qatar’s head of state is visiting Pakistan and has held meeting with its prime minister amid heightened security in the capital. 
“Among other things,” the foreign office statement added, “it was agreed [during the meeting] to take steps to significantly increase bilateral trade; expand collaboration in the agriculture and food sectors; enhance cooperation in the energy sector including in the LNG and LPG fields and exploration and production of oil and gas; promote Qatar’s investments in energy, tourism and hospitality industries; increase the number of Pakistani workers employed in Qatar; expand cooperation in the fields of aviation, maritime affairs, higher education, and defense and defense production.”
The two sides also signed MoUs to establish a joint working group on trade and investment, cooperate in the field of tourism and share financial intelligence to counter money laundering, associated predicate offenses and terrorism financing.
The prime minister hosted a banquet dinner in honor of the visiting dignitary. In a special gesture, Qatar’s emir presented the jersey of his national football team to Khan and received a cricket bat signed by his host.
Sheikh Tamim Al Thani will meet President Arif Alvi tomorrow. According to the foreign office, his visit “will further cement the close brotherly relations between Pakistan and Qatar and give a significant boost to bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.”