Doha, 07 Oct. 2023 (QT)

Islamabad, Pakistan

By Ashraf Siddiqui

EJAZ Ahmad Qureshi, Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan (Wafaqi Mohtasib) and President of the Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA), emphasised the importance of developing comprehensive policies and concerted efforts to address the issues faced by overseas Pakistanis.

In an interview recently in Islamabad with Editor, www.asiantelegraphqatar.com, he highlighted the significant role played by the over nine million overseas Pakistanis, who contribute by remitting over $30 billion to the country. It is vital to Pakistan’s economy and is particularly noteworthy because these remittances are received without stringent conditions, unlike the challenges associated with securing funds from international organisations like the IMF.

He highlighted the efforts made to assist overseas Pakistanis with the issues they encounter, including the establishment of a streamlined one window operation at airports and the availability of a dedicated advisor who can be reached through various means like email, WhatsApp, or telephone from anywhere.

Instructions have also been given to Pakistani embassies abroad to engage regularly with overseas Pakistanis and address their concerns. In cases where local resolutions are not possible, there is a direct email channel for intervention and support, he said.

Qureshi stressed the importance of acknowledging that Pakistan is a developing country with a per capita income of $1,600, significantly lower than countries like Qatar. with over US$ 60,000 per capita, or smaller nations like Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, which boast per capita incomes exceeding US$ 10,000.

He noted that despite these challenges, Pakistanis believe in the potential of their country, and with robust systems and infrastructure, they aim to tap into this potential to uplift the nation.

“Recognising the vastness of the challenges and the substantial number of overseas Pakistanis, I emphasise the need for comprehensive policies and concerted efforts to address their concerns. I propose the inclusion of their representation in our parliament at decision-making levels. Personally, I commit to examining and presenting any suggestions they provide before relevant agencies to ensure their facilitation. Overseas Pakistanis are genuine assets in numerous ways, and their input should be integral to our national development agenda,” he noted. Qureshi lauded the institution’s global leadership in upholding ombudsmanship, emphasising its pivotal role in the rule of law and good governance.

The unopposed re-election of the Federal Ombudsman as President of the Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA) by 47 member nations at the General Assembly in Kazan, Russia, signifies international recognition of Pakistan’s commitment to administrative justice, he said.

Qureshi highlighted the institution’s performance, revealing the resolution of 132,000 out of 133,000 registered complaints by September 15, 2023. He noted the AOA’s nonpolitical and professional character, hosting its permanent secretariat in Islamabad since its establishment in 1996.

Qureshi proudly shared that Wafaqi Mohtasib, since its inception, has benefited 1.9 million households, impacting the nation with a financial value of Rupees 3.1 billion. The resolution of 164,137 complaints last year marked a historic high in 40 years, and this year’s projected figure is around 185,000.

He said that initiatives like Outreach Complaint Resolution System (OCR) and Informal Resolution of Disputes (IRD) aim to provide accessible justice, with 2,379 cases resolved through mediation and conciliation.

Acknowledging the Overseas Diaspora’s significance, a Grievance Commissioner handles their complaints, with 121,545 cases managed this year. Qureshi underscored the firm establishment of ombudsmanship in Pakistan, outlining its expansion into various governance sectors, and expressed Pakistan’s commitment to sharing its experiences for the benefit of the international community.

Overseas Pakistanis having any grievance may contact Dr Inam-ul-Haq Javeid, Advisor / Grievance Commissioner for Overseas Pakistanis via Email: mohtasiboverseasgcommissioner@gmail.com; Tel. 0092519217259, 0092519217224; Whatsapp: 00923035095361; Helpline Overseas: 0092519313886, 0092519213887 (Monday to Friday, from 8am to 10pm). For online complaints against Federal Government

Doha, 03 Oct. 2023

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of State of Qatar, laid the foundation stone of the North Field expansion project, which will raise the State of Qatar's LNG production capacity from the current 77 million tons per annum (MTPA) to 126 MTPA by 2026.

The project’s ground breaking took place during a special ceremony at Ras Laffan Industrial City attended by Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy, CEOs and senior executives of QatarEnergy’s partners in the expansion project.

The project includes six mega trains, each with a production capacity of eight MTPA of LNG, four of which are part of the North Field East expansion project, and two are part of the North Field South expansion project, contributing a total of 48 MTPA to the global LNG supplies.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi stressed that this pioneering expansion project is a quantum leap in our country’s leadership in the field of energy, and an embodiment of our goals towards optimal investment in our natural resources and our commitment to providing the world with a cleaner source of energy over many decades.

State Minister for Energy Al-Kaabi said: “On the local level, this project will have short- and long-term impacts that will be reflected across all sectors of the Qatari economy and will significantly enhance the State’s revenues.

This major expansion comes at a crucial time, as natural gas occupies a pivotal position in the energy mix in a world facing geopolitical turbulences and is in dire need of clean energy sources that are in line with the global environmental goals.”

He said: “There is no doubt that these additional quantities of natural gas are of great importance as they will play a prominent role in enhancing energy security, supporting a practical and realistic energy transition, and ensuring fair and equitable access to cleaner energy for a sustainable growth and a better future for all.”

Al-Kaabi concluded his remarks by thanking QatarEnergy’s partners, and the working teams of Qatar Energy and QatarEnergy LNG, and the contractors working to implement this project with the highest quality and safety standards.

He added “I am honored to extend ample thanks and gratitude to HiH the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for honoring us with his presence and patronage of this celebration, and for his unlimited support and guidance to us in the Energy Sector.”

QatarEnergy is partnered in this global project by TotalEnergies, Shell, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Eni, Sinopec, and CNPC, whose contributions will play a pivotal role in ensuring the project’s success and achieving its goals by producing LNG that is the best in the world in terms of safety, reliability, and carbon footprint.

In addition to LNG, the project will produce 6,500 tons per day of ethane gas, which will be used as a feedstock in the local petrochemical industries. The project will also produce about 200,000 barrels per day of liquefied petroleum gas (propane and butane), and about 450,000 barrels per day of condensates, in addition to large quantities of helium and pure sulfur.

Doha, 02 Oct. 2023 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

TURKIYE Trade Minister Omer Bolat has said that his country attaches great importance to enhancing bilateral trade relations and economic cooperation with Qatar. Addressing a press conference at Hotel Ritz Carlton on Monday, Omer Bolat said he is confident that Qatar, just like it did during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, will successfully host the Expo 2023 Doha.

The Turkish minister arrived in Qatar along with a 150-member delegation to participate in the opening ceremony of Expo 2023 Doha. He said that horticulture expos, which have been held since the mid19th century, are world exhibitions that bring countries together on a common global platform, contributing to international cooperation and communication. Expos go beyond commercial promotion and make a significant contribution to global socio-cultural development through the sharing of ideas, cultural richness, projects, and scientific and cultural experiences.

He said Turkiye has been participating in Expos held since 1851, with 37 participations in total (17 during the Ottoman period and 20 during the Republican era). First expo was hosted by Turkiye in Antalya in 2016. He said that Türkiye takes pride in being a leading actor in technology, economy, and trade, especially in the last 20 years, and “we believe that participating in Expos is an effective means to showcase our political and economic achievements.”

Talking about trade relations between the two countries, Bolat said both the countries are continuing efforts to further advance the bilateral trade volume, which reached $2,3 billion in 2022. He said that Qatari companies’ investments in Türkiye since 2002 amounts to $9,9 billion, demonstrate the importance of investment relations between our countries.

The minister said that he was hopeful that next Supreme Strategic Committee meeting between the countries on December 4 this year will boost further trade and investment relations.

Doha, Qatar, 01 Oct. 2023

Dr. Ahmad M. Hasnah, President, HBKU said on the occasion that 'GISR reflects Qatar’s prominent place at a major geopolitical crossroads and commitment to positively impacting and shaping debates on a multitude of global challenges facing humanity today, be it climate change, energy, the development of new technologies, water scarcity, poverty, conflict, or displacement of people.

Through its research, thought leadership, and engagement activities, GISR aims to provide distinctly Arab and regional perspectives on the most pressing challenges facing Qatar, the Middle East and wider world today', Dr. Ahmad M. Hasnah added.

As an Acting Director, Dr Sultan Barakat, Professor in Public Policy at HBKU’s College of Public Policy, is leading the Institute through its early formation and will be guided by an international board of distinguished advisors with diverse backgrounds and extensive experience.

Reflecting on his role, Dr. Sultan Barakat, said: 'I am honored to be entrusted with this leading global initiative. Within the boundaries of HBKU and the QF exosystem, we have a unique concentration of scholarship, talent and innovation that will allow GISR to act as a catalyst to channel ideas and bridge the gap between research and policymaking'.

The day concluded with the launch of a joint GISR, Doha Forum, and Stimson Center report titled The Future of International Cooperation 2023.

Addressed to the 78th UN General Assembly, the report highlights how carefully designed, responsible initiatives in cyber-governance, including the regulation of AI, and reinvigorated peacebuilding can benefit people and nations and influence the outcomes of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Going forward, GISR will pursue to build a better understanding of the cultural, historic, political and other drivers of global challenges and shall seek to examine issues of global governance, advancement, peace and security in a holistic fashion.

To do so, strong coherence and collaboration between policymaking at the national, regional and international levels are required. 'We aim to create a safe environment where public policy debate can occur among scholars and policy makers both nationally and internationally.

We hope that in time we will be able to build a sufficient level of trust with policy makers to nurture a durable relationship that builds, sustains, and connects national with global policy,” said Dr. Barakat.

Doha, 01 Oct. 2023