PM Gilani to visit Doha today

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani will visit Doha (today) Monday on a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening ties with the Gulf state in multiple areas including import of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to meet the country’s energy demands.Gilani will also discuss with the Qatari leadership the issue of finalization of transnational formalities to import LNG at the earliest, a Foreign Office official told APP.Pakistan is interested in importing 500 million cubic feet per day of LNG from Qatar that produces 77 million tonnes per annum of LNG. The imported LNG will be initially provided to the power houses in the country to generate 2,500 megawatt electricity.During Prime Minister Gilani’s visit, the two governments are likely to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Qatar’s Ministry of Energy.The Prime Minister will hold talks with Qatar’s Emir and the prime minister to further promote trade and investment ties to add substance to bilateral relations.The official said the Prime Minister will take up the matter of absorbing Pakistani skilled labour in Qatar. The demand of two million work force is anticipated for Qatar’s various infrastructure projects for holding FIFA 2022 World Cup in Doha, he said.Gilani will hold separate meetings with the Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Diar Real Estate Investors and the representatives of Qatari Business Association.He will address the Pakistani community living in Qatar and attend a prize distribution ceremony at Pakistan Education Centre. About 87,000 Pakistanis comprise 33 percent of the Qatar’s population.Pakistan’s exports to Qatar mainly comprise food and agriculture products dominated by rice and meat, while the imports are petrochemicals. The remittances from Qatar increased by US $ 354 million in 2010 as compared to US $ 339.51 million in 2009.Pakistan offers one seat each in M.B.B.S, B.D.S (Dentistry), B.Sc (engineering) and B.Pharmacy to Qatari students annually under Technical Assistance Programme.