Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif on Monday departed for Qatar on a one-day visit to offer condolences with the Qatari royal family on the sad demise of Qatar’s former Emir, the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The delegation, which departed from Islamabad, is being led by the prime minister himself. However, the visit is being regarded as highly significant politically and diplomatically because it also includes PML-N President Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
In addition, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar are also part of the delegation.
Upon arrival in Doha, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by a high-level Pakistani delegation, called on Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and conveyed heartfelt condolences over the demise of the Father Amir.
The prime minister paid tribute to the late Father Amir’s visionary leadership, statesmanship and lasting contributions to Qatar’s remarkable development, as well as to regional peace, stability and progress.
Recalling the late Father Amir’s close ties with Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz said he would always be remembered for his warmth, kindness and affection for the Pakistani people, as reflected in his many visits to the country over the years.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the leadership and people of Qatar during this time of mourning and prayed that Allah Almighty grant the late Father Amir the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and give strength to the Royal Family and the people of Qatar to bear the loss.
Amir Sheikh Tamim thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the Pakistani delegation for travelling to Doha to offer condolences in person. He said the gesture reflected the deep-rooted fraternal ties between the two countries and their peoples.
The visit besides offering condolence on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan also aims at further strengthening the decades-old, longstanding and historic relations between Pakistan and Qatar.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the visit reflects the deep and brotherly ties that exist between the two Islamic countries. The Pakistani leadership will receive a grand welcome upon arriving in Qatar, after which a series of high-level meetings will begin.
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Pakistan-Qatar historical ties
Pakistan-Qatar relations are not only political but are also extremely strong at the economic and public levels. Pakistan and Qatar have major agreements in the energy sector, particularly regarding LNG imports, which serve as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy.
In addition, millions of Pakistanis are employed in Qatar and send valuable foreign exchange back to the country. The Qatari royal family has always provided financial and diplomatic support to Pakistan during difficult times, and in the past the leadership of both countries has actively shared in each other’s moments of grief and happiness.
The tenure of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is regarded as the golden era of Pakistan-Qatar friendship.
Pakistan is currently seeking the support of friendly countries for economic stability, and maintaining the highest level of engagement with a wealthy Islamic country like Qatar will be regarded as a major achievement of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
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