Pakistan’s cabinet has approved a draft agreement that permits the government to provide troops for security at the FIFA football World Cup in Qatar later this year. The tournament is scheduled to take take place from November 20 to December 18 in Qatar.
A summary outlining the agreement, to be signed between Doha and Islamabad, was approved by the cabinet, said Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.
“The agreement aims to define the obligations of the two parties, the specific specializations, and the number of security personnel to be sent by Pakistan to participate in the security and safety operations,” the summary read.
Qatar’s government or the Pakistani prime minister’s office did not immediately confirm or respond to the development.
The summary was signed ahead of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Qatar on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Shehbaz Sharif headed to Qatar on August 23 Tuesday in a bid to generate trade and investment for Pakistan facing serious economic crisis.
“I will highlight the exciting investment opportunities in Pakistan’s various sectors such as renewable energy, food security, industrial and infrastructure development, tourism and hospitality,” Sharif said in a statement before setting off for Doha.
Sharif will be accompanied by his cabinet ministers. “The two sides will discuss bilateral relations between the two countries, especially to move forward cooperation in energy, trade, and investment opportunities,” the official handout said.
PM Sharif is also scheduled to visit a football stadium in Doha where he will be briefed about the efforts by the Qatari government for the World Cup 2022.
Qatar is home to more than 200,000 Pakistani nationals who have been contributing to the economic development of the two countries.