ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the top leaders of Qatar and Oman on Saturday to extend Eid Al-Fitr greetings and reaffirm his country’s desire to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, his office said.
Pakistan has actively sought to strengthen ties with Gulf nations in recent years, with countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates providing generous financial assistance to Islamabad amid a prolonged economic crisis.
Pakistan continues to seek foreign investment and opportunities to send more skilled labor to the region and boost remittance inflows, a critical component of its economy. High-level visits, investment dialogues and export-related events have been held across Gulf states as part of these efforts.
The phone calls to the Qatari and Omani leaders came ahead of Eid Al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and amid preparations for increased economic engagement.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic call with the Amir of the State of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani today and conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to the Amir and the brotherly people of Qatar on Eid ul Fitr,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
“The two leaders also reaffirmed their common desire to further strengthen the close brotherly relations in the trade and investment,” it added. “To carry forward discussions on investment, it was agreed that a delegation from Qatar shall visit Pakistan immediately after Eid.”
Sharif also expressed appreciation for Qatar’s diplomatic efforts, particularly in Gaza, and recalled his visit to Doha last October, where he attended the Manzar cultural exhibition hosted by Sheikha Al Mayassa. He proposed holding a similar exhibition in Lahore, a suggestion the Qatari leader reportedly accepted.
In a separate phone call, the prime minister spoke with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, exchanging Eid greetings and expressing Pakistan’s interest in expanding cooperation across all sectors.
“The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction on the recent successful visit of Pakistan’s Commerce Minister to Muscat, which would pave the way for the two sides to explore mutually beneficial avenues for cooperation,” said the PM Office in another statement.
“The Prime Minister also reiterated his invitation to the Sultan of Oman and requested him to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience,” it added.
The Omani Sultan warmly reciprocated the Eid greetings and conveyed his best wishes for the people of Pakistan.
Pakistan PM greets Gulf leaders ahead of Eid, discusses trade and investment
https://arab.news/29jaw
Pakistan PM greets Gulf leaders ahead of Eid, discusses trade and investment
- Shehbaz Sharif called the top leaders of Qatar and Oman and discussed bilateral relations
- Qatar will send a delegation to Pakistan to evaluate investment options immediately after Eid
Over 200 security forces personnel killed in Balochistan militant attacks in 2025— chief minister
- Pakistani security forces launched thousands of operations, killed 760 militants, says Sarfraz Bugti
- Pakistan’s military media wing says 12 “Indian-sponsored militants” killed in Balochistan’s Kalat district
ISLAMABAD: Over 200 security forces personnel were killed in several militant attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province this year, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said on Sunday.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by since yet its most backward by almost all social and economic indicators, has suffered from a bloody separatist insurgency for decades launched by ethnic Baloch militant groups. The most prominent among them is the Balochistan Liberation Army.
These militant outfits accuse the military and federal government of denying the local Baloch population a share in the province’s mineral wealth, charges Islamabad denies.
“We have lost [in one year] 205 security forces personnel, including paramilitary, uniformed, police, levies, and along with that, there are six officers,” Bugti told reporters during a press conference.
The chief minister said Balochistan had witnessed 900 militant attacks throughout the year, adding that the number of civilian casualties was recorded at 280.
Bugti said security forces had also launched thousands of intelligence-based operations in 2025 against militants.
“Out of those, the terrorists who have been killed so far, that is 760,” he said.
TWELVE MILITANTS KILLED IN KALAT
Separately, the Pakistani military’s media wing said on Sunday that security forces had killed 12 “Indian-sponsored militants” in Balochistan’s Kalat district on Dec. 6.
It said the militants belonged to Indian proxy “Fitna al Hindustan,” a term the military uses frequently to describe ethnic Baloch militant groups who demand independence from Pakistan. Islamabad accuses New Delhi of arming and funding these separatist groups, charges India has always denied.
“Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area,” the ISPR said.
Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan, has seen a surge in militant attacks in recent months. Pakistan’s military said on Saturday that security forces had killed five militants in the Dera Bugti area of the province.
