Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha; Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir are also present. Photo: Express
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held what he described as a “warm and productive” meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha on Tuesday, with discussions covering bilateral cooperation and regional developments.
In a statement published on
“I was also joined by DPM/FM Senator Ishaq Dar and CDF Marshal Syed Asim Munir,” the Prime Minister noted, referring to the high-level delegation accompanying him.
According to the Prime Minister, discussions focused on advancing political ties towards stronger economic partnerships.
“Our warmest and most productive discussions focused on how our two sides can advance our brotherly ties and transform them into mutually beneficial economic relations,” he said.
The two sides also discussed the overall regional situation.
“Pakistan and Qatar will continue to work together for peace and stability in the region and beyond,” the Prime Minister added, without further details.
While the statement did not explicitly address specific regional hotspots, it is understood that ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the standoff between Iran and the United States and efforts around a peace plan in Gaza featured in the discussions, given the rapidly changing security environment in the wider region.
Separately, an official statement issued after the Prime Minister’s meeting with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, provided more details on the engagement.
The Prime Minister met Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani during his official visit to Doha. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief Marshal of Defense Force Syed Asim Munir, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present.
The two leaders held in-depth discussions on bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments. They reaffirmed the strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and Qatar and expressed satisfaction with the growing momentum of political, economic and institutional engagement.
According to the statement, the discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, energy, defense, labor mobility and cultural collaboration. The two sides also agreed to activate a joint working group to accelerate cooperation in these sectors.
Both countries stressed the importance of implementing decisions taken during recent high-level engagements and institutional mechanisms, including the Joint Ministerial Commission and bilateral political consultations, to ensure tangible progress.
Regional issues, including the evolving situation in Gaza and the broader security dynamics in the Gulf, were also discussed. The Prime Minister appreciated Qatar’s constructive diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation in the region.
Qatar has positioned itself in recent years as a key mediator in regional conflicts, and Pakistan has consistently supported diplomatic initiatives aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East.
Both leaders stressed the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for international law, including the United Nations Charter. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Pakistan and Qatar to further strengthen their strategic partnership and remain engaged and in touch on bilateral, regional and international issues.
The Prime Minister’s visit comes at a time of heightened geopolitical flux, with multiple intersecting crises in South Asia and the Middle East. In this context, Islamabad appears keen to deepen its coordination with Doha, a country that plays an increasingly important diplomatic role, while simultaneously seeking to convert strong political ties into concrete economic gains.
