Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif have departed for Qatar on a one-day visit aimed at further strengthening the decades-old, longstanding and historic relations between Pakistan and Qatar.
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.
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.
Meeting with the Royal Family and Condolences
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will hold a special meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The primary agenda of this meeting is to convey, on behalf of the Government and the people of Pakistan, deep sorrow and condolences to the Qatari royal family, the government and the people of Qatar over the passing of Qatar’s former Emir, the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The Pakistani leadership will pay tribute to the late Emir for his services, as he laid the strong foundation of Pakistan-Qatar relations.
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Inclusion of a High-Level Delegation
The most notable aspect of this visit is the composition of the delegation. The presence of former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif alongside the prime minister has assumed special importance in diplomatic circles.
In addition, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar are also part of the delegation. This high-level representation demonstrates the importance Pakistan attaches to its relations with Qatar.
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.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s one-day visit to Qatar is not merely a condolence visit; deeper political and economic objectives may also be at work behind it.
The presence of Nawaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar in the delegation indicates that, in addition to offering condolences, discussions are also expected on future investment, CPEC, and the current situation in the Middle East.
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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