Speaking to Editor, Asian Telegraph on the sidelines of the 9th World Investment Forum, which concluded on Tuesday at the Sheraton Grand Doha Hotel, Khan said his visit aimed to explore future investment opportunities and strengthen economic cooperation.

He said Pakistan participated in the forum, which brought together governments, entrepreneurs, startups and fintech companies to discuss future investment prospects and the evolving global economy.

A key outcome of the visit was the second meeting of the Qatar-Pakistan Joint Task Force on Trade and Investment Enhancement, co-chaired by Khan and Qatar’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. While the two officials met in person, their respective teams joined online.

The task force identified nine key areas for cooperation, including agriculture, information technology, human resources, labour, logistics, connectivity, financing, mining and minerals, and petroleum.

Khan said 11 joint working groups had been established, with both countries nominating their representatives. The groups are expected to meet within a month to identify specific opportunities, while technical committees will assess project feasibility and develop practical proposals.

The findings will inform the third task force meeting, expected to take place in Pakistan within the next two to three months.

He said the initiative aimed to expand trade, promote joint investments and enable both countries to explore new international markets.

During his visit, Khan met representatives of Hassad Food, Qatar Chamber, the Ministry of Municipality and Agriculture, and Qatar’s private sector. He also visited the Pakistani Embassy to meet Pakistani businesspeople who have invested in Qatar and operated businesses there for years.

Rising energy costs, inflation and high interest rates were adding pressure on economies, while climate change posed further challenges.

He stressed the need for economic diversification, forward-looking policies and stronger government-private sector cooperation to address emerging challenges and secure opportunities for future generations.

Commenting on bilateral relations, Khan said ties between Pakistan and Qatar had warmed considerably over the past 18 to 24 months, supported by cooperation on regional and international issues.

He highlighted their positions on Palestine and Qatar’s diplomatic mediation efforts amid regional conflicts, including tensions involving the United States and Iran.

Khan said this political understanding provided a strong foundation for expanding commercial relations.

Pakistan has presented investment opportunities in agriculture, mining and minerals, ports and shipping, logistics, connectivity, infrastructure, and information and communications technology. He said Qatar had shown considerable interest in these sectors.

Khan acknowledged that trade with GCC countries had declined because of regional disruptions affecting transportation, connectivity and supply chains, rather than difficulties in Pakistan-Qatar relations.

He expressed optimism that trade would recover and expand as regional conditions improved and conflicts were resolved.