PTBP Web Desk
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended an invitation to Qatari investors to explore new and diverse opportunities in Pakistan under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) framework — a key government initiative designed to attract and fast-track foreign investments.
The development came during a high-level meeting between PM Shehbaz and H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, who arrived in Islamabad to co-chair the 6th Session of the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Friday, the discussion centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation, enhancing trade ties, and unlocking new investment potential between the two countries.
PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Qatar relations, which he said are rooted in shared faith, mutual respect, and a long history of cooperation. He described Qatar as not only a vital economic partner but also an influential regional mediator that has consistently played a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.
The prime minister emphasized that Pakistan’s investor-friendly environment, supported by the SIFC framework, offers immense opportunities in sectors such as energy, agriculture, food security, information technology, tourism, and infrastructure development.
He assured that Pakistan is fully committed to facilitating Qatari investors, providing policy stability, and ensuring transparent regulatory mechanisms to enable long-term partnerships.
“Pakistan welcomes Qatar’s interest in expanding its investments and looks forward to translating these engagements into tangible outcomes that benefit both countries,” PM Shehbaz stated during the meeting.
The meeting followed reports that Qatar has shown strong interest in investing $3 billion across several sectors in Pakistan, including the Reko Diq mining project, aviation, and energy infrastructure.
According to Business Recorder, Qatar’s delegation conveyed its interest in acquiring stakes in three major Pakistani airports and investing in strategic development projects to enhance bilateral economic cooperation.
This development marks one of the most significant foreign investment commitments in recent years and reflects growing confidence in Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability and improved business climate under the SIFC.
The 6th Session of the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Ministerial Commission served as a crucial forum to evaluate the existing level of cooperation and identify new areas of collaboration. The session was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, and Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani.
During the session, both sides discussed enhancing trade and investment partnerships, exploring energy security initiatives, and expanding cooperation in manpower exports, tourism, and agriculture.
Qatar’s minister conveyed warm greetings from the Qatari leadership to PM Shehbaz and reaffirmed Doha’s commitment to deepen economic engagement with Pakistan. He emphasized that the JMC provides an ideal platform to convert shared goals into actionable projects.
“The friendship between Qatar and Pakistan is rooted in mutual trust and respect. We look forward to expanding cooperation that supports Pakistan’s economic development while aligning with Qatar’s regional investment goals,” Sheikh Faisal noted.
PM Shehbaz highlighted the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as a game-changer in streamlining investment processes, eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, and improving coordination between the public and private sectors.
The SIFC, launched by the Government of Pakistan, brings together key ministries, regulators, and military representatives to ensure smooth execution of large-scale investment projects. The framework has been particularly effective in attracting Middle Eastern investors, including from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and now Qatar.
The prime minister underscored that Pakistan’s strategic location, youthful workforce, and natural resource base make it an ideal destination for foreign investors seeking growth opportunities in South Asia.
He added that Pakistan’s ongoing reforms in taxation, digitalization, and energy sectors are designed to build investor confidence and ensure sustainable economic recovery.
Both leaders also discussed the importance of regional collaboration in promoting peace, trade connectivity, and sustainable development. PM Shehbaz appreciated Qatar’s consistent diplomatic support for Pakistan at international forums and its role in facilitating dialogue in regional conflicts.
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with Qatar at multilateral platforms, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations, to advance shared objectives related to peace, climate action, and human development.
The two sides agreed to maintain close coordination to transform policy commitments into actionable results. A joint follow-up mechanism was proposed to monitor progress on projects discussed during the JMC session.
The emphasis will be on business-to-business linkages, joint ventures, and public-private partnerships, particularly in energy and infrastructure.
Experts believe that Qatar’s investment could play a transformative role in Pakistan’s economic revival, providing much-needed foreign capital and creating employment opportunities.
With Qatar’s growing focus on diversifying its global investments and Pakistan’s renewed reform agenda, both nations appear poised for a new era of economic cooperation.
