Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a one-day visit to Qatar.
- The visit includes meetings with the current emir and offering condolences.
- Pakistan has declared a day of mourning for the former emir.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed on Monday for a brief but significant one-day visit to Qatar, where he will offer his condolences at the passing of the country’s former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced that Nawaz Sharif, PML-N President and PM Sharif’s brother, would also accompany him.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the PMO stated that Shehbaz Sharif will meet with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current emir of Qatar. The visit underscores the long-standing and enduring relations between Pakistan and Qatar, which have been marked by mutual respect and cooperation over several decades.
The PMO further noted that this visit reflects the deep ties between the Qatari royal family, the people of Qatar, and the government and people of Pakistan. Accompanying Shehbaz Sharif on his journey are Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.
Qatar announced the death of its former emir on Sunday, who led the country from 1995 to 2013. He was 74 years old at the time of his passing. Sheikh Hamad is remembered as a key figure in Qatar’s modernization and economic growth during his tenure.
Pakistan has responded by declaring a day of mourning for the former emir, with the national flag flying at half-mast across the country. The PMO shared this information through an official notification on Sunday.
The visit is expected to include discussions on recent geopolitical developments, including the renewed tensions between the United States and Iran, which have brought peace efforts involving Pakistan and Qatar back into focus.
