Doha: First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari met with the Mother of the Amir of Qatar, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, in Qatar today to discuss potential collaboration between Pakistani universities and Qatar Foundation institutions.

According to Radio Pakistan, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser welcomed the proposals and expressed the Qatar Foundation’s eagerness to explore areas of mutual interest. The meeting, described as warm and cordial, covered various avenues of collaboration in education, health, innovation, and women’s empowerment.

Aseefa Bhutto Zardari praised Sheikha Moza for her visionary leadership in promoting education and human development through initiatives like the Qatar Foundation and Education Above All (EAA). The First Lady acknowledged EAA’s significant contributions, which have supported the education of over 1.3 million out-of-school children in Pakistan through projects such as Educate a Child. She also expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming Pakistan Youth Leadership Initiative, which aims to equip young Pakistanis with education and entrepreneurial skills.

In the course of the meeting, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari briefed Sheikha Moza on her ongoing initiatives that focus on providing vocational and technical training for women, aiming to enhance their financial independence and empowerment.

Sheikha Moza highlighted that Pakistani students form the fourth largest group of international students in Qatar Foundation’s educational institutions. Furthermore, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari commended Sheikha Moza’s outspoken support for the Palestinian cause and her condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza, as well as Qatar’s diplomatic efforts in facilitating a humanitarian ceasefire. Sheikha Moza, in response, pointed out the existing international double standards regarding the crisis.

Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to education, empowerment, and social inclusion, agreeing to maintain close cooperation between their respective institutions.