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
Pakistan tightens private Hajj scheme for 2026 after thousands miss pilgrimage
- Saudi Arabia awarded Pakistan ‘Excellence Award’ for overall Hajj 2025 arrangements
- The government says it refunded $12.5 million to pilgrims who went to Hajj last year
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Wednesday it had tightened regulations for private Hajj operators for the 2026 pilgrimage after thousands of pilgrims were unable to travel last year, as the government moved to curb mismanagement and ensure refunds for affected applicants.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf told the media in Islamabad that the private Hajj quota had been reduced and an investigation carried out on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s instructions.
The announcement came even as Pakistan received Saudi Arabia’s “Excellence Award” for its overall arrangements during Hajj 2025, while authorities said they had refunded Rs 3.5 billion ($12.5 million) to pilgrims who performed Hajj in 2025.
“Last year, 60,000 pilgrims were unable to perform Hajj under the private Hajj scheme, prompting the Prime Minister to order inquiries,” Yousuf said. “Consequently, the private Hajj quota has been reduced this year.”
He said private operators had been directed to prioritize pilgrims who were left behind last year and had yet to receive refunds, adding that full refunds would also be ensured for pilgrims unable to travel on medical grounds or under the hardship quota.
Yousuf said the government had expanded the “Pak Hajj App” and extended Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative to Karachi to reduce travel and immigration difficulties for pilgrims.
He added that new regulations for Umrah and religious travel were being finalized to protect pilgrims from exploitation by private operators and to fully digitize the system.
The minister also said women who were confident of performing Hajj and Umrah without a male guardian could do so, with separate groups now being formed, while certificates would be mandatory for women traveling alone.
Responding to another question, Yousuf said no member of parliament or standing committee was being provided free Hajj or Umrah by the ministry, adding that all officials would bear their own expenses.
