Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
- Shehbaz extended condolences on the passing of Sheikh Hamad, who led Qatar from 1995 to 2013.
- Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and lower its national flag to half-mast.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday, offering his condolences following the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The meeting took place at Lusail Palace in Doha, where Sheikh Tamim received PM Shehbaz.
The visit to Qatar was part of a one-day trip by the Pakistani delegation, which also included PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar. The delegation’s arrival at Doha airport was greeted by Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani.
In a statement released after the prime minister’s arrival, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) highlighted the enduring fraternal relations between Pakistan and Qatar. The PMO noted that this visit reflected the long-standing ties between the Qatari royal family, people, and government of Pakistan.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani passed away on Sunday at the age of 74. He was a key figure in modern Qatar, overseeing significant economic growth and transformation during his tenure from 1995 to 2013. His death has been widely mourned both within Qatar and internationally.
In response to Sheikh Hamad’s passing, Pakistan announced that a day of mourning would be observed on Monday. The national flag will fly at half-mast across the country, as notified by the Cabinet Division through the PMO.
The visit also comes in the wake of recent tensions between the United States and Iran, which have brought peace efforts mediated by Pakistan and Qatar back to a standstill. The Pakistani delegation is expected to discuss these developments during their discussions with the Qatari leadership.
