Doha/Qatar,(Parliament Times):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Qatar and stressed the need for dialogue and de-escalation to ensure peace in the Middle East during his meeting with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting took place at the Amiri Diwan and lasted over an hour, during which both leaders reviewed evolving regional and global developments, with a particular focus on the Middle East.
The Qatari emir welcomed the prime minister and appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and ensuring regional stability. In response, PM Shehbaz condemned recent attacks on Qatar and other Gulf nations, reiterating Pakistan’s full support for the country’s leadership and people.
Both sides highlighted the importance of coordinated international efforts to maintain peace and stability, including safeguarding uninterrupted global energy supply chains.
The leaders also discussed bilateral relations, exploring opportunities to deepen cooperation in key areas such as defence, security, and energy, while agreeing to enhance partnership through new avenues of collaboration.
In a separate one-on-one session, they exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and emphasised continued coordination in light of ongoing regional developments and their wider implications.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides, including Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with other cabinet members.
Later, PM Shehbaz described his interaction with the Qatari emir as warm and cordial, expressing gratitude for the special gesture of Qatari Air Force fighter jets escorting his aircraft upon entering Qatari airspace—an act he said reflected Qatar’s hospitality and the strength of bilateral ties.
Upon arrival in Doha, the prime minister received a guard of honour and was welcomed by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. His visit is part of a broader regional tour that includes Saudi Arabia and Turkey, focusing on diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East.
The visit comes amid heightened regional instability following the collapse of recent negotiations between the United States and Iran aimed at ending ongoing hostilities, which have had significant humanitarian and economic consequences across the region.