PM meets Tamim, condoles death of Hamad

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif travelled to Doha on Monday to offer Pakistan’s condolences following the death of Qatar’s former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, underscoring the close ties between the two countries. After arriving in Doha, the Pakistani delegation was received at Hamad International Airport by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, before proceeding to Lusail Palace for a meeting with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. In a statement posted on X after the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had conveyed condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan to the Qatari leadership and public over the death of the former Emir. READ MORE: Former emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, dies at 74 He described Sheikh Hamad as a visionary leader whose tenure contributed to Qatar’s rapid development and regional influence, while also recalling what he said was the late ruler’s longstanding goodwill towards Pakistan and his visits to the country. Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Qatar during its period of mourning and offered prayers for the late Emir and the Qatari royal family. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Sheikh Tamim thanked the Pakistani delegation for travelling to Doha to offer condolences in person, describing the visit as a reflection of the longstanding relationship between the two countries. The prime minister was accompanied by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other senior officials on the one-day visit. The visit comes as Pakistan and Qatar continue to maintain close diplomatic and economic ties, with co-operation spanning energy, investment and labour, including the presence of a large Pakistani expatriate community in the Gulf state. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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