ISLAMABAD, 1 July 2006 — Pakistan and Qatar have agreed to boost cooperation in trade and investment. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and visiting First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar Sheikh Hamad ibn Jassim Al-Thani discussed yesterday the possibility of expanding bilateral relations with special focus on trade and investment. The export of Pakistani manpower to Qatar also figured at the meeting.

During the talks the Qatari deputy premier said there were 56,000 Pakistani skilled workers in Qatar contributing to the development of the country. He asked for more workforce from Pakistan. Aziz expressed satisfaction over the bilateral relations and called for more political, trade, and investment cooperation.

He said Muslim countries should work for the restructuring of the Organization of the Islamic Conference so that the Ummah could adopt a unified position on international issues. “OIC has to be made a dynamic international organization to address the problems faced by Muslim countries,” Aziz observed.

Later talking to newsmen Sheikh Hamad said, “We wish to further improve our bilateral relations especially trade, commerce and cooperation in aviation.”

Islamabad Will Get F-16s

After marathon negotiations Pakistan finally won Congressional approval to purchase 62 F-16s known as flying falcons. Islamabad had purchased 40 F-16s from the United States in the early 1980s during the presence of Soviet Army in Afghanistan. At present Pakistan has 26 old version F-16s. These aircraft were upgraded in 1997 when the US agreed to sell spare parts meant for the aircraft.

“The sale is part of an effort to broaden our strategic partnership with Pakistan and advance our national security and foreign policy interests in South Asia,” State Department spokeswoman Julie Reside said in Washington on Thursday. “Pakistan is a long-term partner and major non-NATO ally.” Reside, dismissing any suggestion the US sale would contribute to an arms race, said a dialogue between the two countries had helped reduce tensions and provided greater stability in the area. Defense Ministry officials in Islamabad confirmed that the State Department attached no conditions to the deal.

Musharraf Confers Sitara-e-Isar

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf conferred Sitara-e-Isar on the head of the Saudi relief mission working in quake-hit areas. Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Awadh Asseri was present at the investiture ceremony held here yesterday. Over 130 personalities including UN officials, volunteers, those related to NGOs and others received their awards.

Speaking on the occasion President Musharraf called on the international community to institute an emergency fund to cope with natural calamities.

Miss England Meets Aziz

Miss England Hammasa Kohistani, who is in Pakistan in connection with her social welfare activities, met Prime Minister Aziz yesterday.