Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Qatar on Monday on a one-day official visit to express condolences over the passing of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, reaffirming the close and longstanding ties between Pakistan and Qatar.
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According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Prime Minister Shehbaz is accompanied by PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar. During the visit, the premier is scheduled to meet Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to personally convey Pakistan’s sympathies following the death of the former ruler.
The PMO stated that the visit reflects the decades-old fraternal relationship between the leadership and people of both countries. Pakistan and Qatar maintain strong diplomatic, economic and people-to-people ties, with cooperation spanning trade, investment, energy and the welfare of the large Pakistani expatriate community residing in the Gulf state.
Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani passed away at the age of 74. He ruled Qatar from 1995 until 2013 and is widely credited with transforming the country into a major regional and global economic power through rapid development, infrastructure expansion and an active foreign policy.
In honour of the late Qatari leader, the Government of Pakistan has declared a day of national mourning. National flags are being flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect, according to a Cabinet Division notification.
Besides offering condolences, Prime Minister Shehbaz’s visit is also expected to include discussions on recent regional developments, particularly the renewed escalation between the United States and Iran. Pakistan and Qatar have both been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and promoting dialogue in the region.
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The visit underscores Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining strong strategic relations with Qatar while supporting regional peace, stability and continued diplomatic engagement during a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.