ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha today, Tuesday, to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, the prime minister’s office said.

Pakistan has been seeking closer economic engagement with Gulf partners amid its broader push to stabilize the economy and attract investment, while maintaining security and defense cooperation with key regional states.

“Discussions will take place on further strengthening bilateral relations,” Sharif’s office said about his meeting on Tuesday.

Qatar’s prime minister is expected to host an iftar dinner on Tuesday in honor of the Pakistani leader and his delegation. During the visit, Sharif is also expected to meet Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, as well as Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the PMO said.

A delegation of the Qatar Businessmen Association is also scheduled to call on the prime minister, the statement added.

Qatar's Minister of State on Foreign Trade Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed called on Sharif, the PMO said, during which both sides reviewed bilateral trade and economic cooperation. 

"The prime minister emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral trade volumes and diversifying Pakistan's exports to Qatar, particularly in agricultural products, food items and value-added goods," Sharif's office said. 

Al-Sayed reiterated Qatar's interest in expanding economic cooperation and strengthening private sector and business linkages between the two countries.

Pakistan and Qatar maintain close ties spanning energy cooperation, defense collaboration and labor exports. Qatar hosts a large Pakistani expatriate community, and the visit comes as Islamabad continues efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen economic partnerships in the Gulf region.