Pakistan and Qatar have been enjoying deep-rooted and robust ties since the beginning of diplomatic relations in the early seventies. In further strengthening the ties between these countries, Mr. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has played a vital role since 2020. Mr. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman’s services in further deepening brotherly bilateral ties between Qatar and Pakistan are commendable. He has also earned massive respect in the diplomatic circle and among the leadership of Pakistan.
Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was born in Doha. He completed an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering at New Mexico State University in 1993 before gaining a master’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Lyon. He served in the Qatar Armed Forces before becoming involved in national-level sports administration positions.
His first major organizational projects came as Director-General of the committees for the 2004 Gulf Cup of Nations and the 2005 West Asian Games and being a committee member for the 2006 Asian Games. He became the secretary-general of the Qatar Olympic Committee, president of the Qatar Basketball Federation, and Vice-President of the International Fencing Federation (FIE). He is a regular sportsman with particular interests in tennis, shooting sports, soccer, and swimming.
Saoud Al Thani played a role in the winning of bids for Doha’s first world level sports competitions including the 2014 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m), the 2015 World Men’s Handball Championship, 2016 UCI Road World Championships, 2018 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships and the 2019 World Championships in Athletics (being the bid leader for the latter). These projects formed part of the Qatar National Vision 2030, a long-term government plan to develop the nation’s economic and cultural wealth through the proceeds of its oil resources.
Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal Al-Thani joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Ambassador in 2019. In 2020, he was appointed as Qatar’s Ambassador to Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Since 2020, he has been very active and dynamic role for further strengthening ties between Pakistan and Qatar. As representatives of the State of Qatar, he has been successful in his aim to strengthening the role of the State of Qatar and promoting its mission, which essentially seeks to achieve international peace as well as economic, environmental, educational, and socio-cultural development. Recently, Mr. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, and conveyed greetings of the leadership of Qatar to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed Pakistan’s desire to strengthen bilateral ties with Qatar in diverse fields. In conclusion, H.E Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal Al-Thani is a distinguished diplomat and among the very few diplomats who have gained immense admiration and recognition in a very short period in Pakistan.