Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and underscored the importance of de-escalation and dialogue amid the ongoing regional situation.
The meeting took place shortly after the prime minister’s arrival in Doha following his visit to Saudi Arabia a day earlier.
The premier’s arrival at Doha International Airport marked the second leg of his April 15-18 tour, as Islamabad steps up efforts to engage key regional partners amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
“I had a most warm and cordial meeting with my dear brother, Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha today,” PM Shehbaz said in a post on X.
The prime minister thanked Sheikh Tamim on behalf of the people of Pakistan for the exceptionally warm and generous gesture of sending Qatar’s fighter jets to escort our aircraft as it entered Qatari airspace.
“I am truly touched by this gesture, which also embodies the spirit of Qatar’s renowned hospitality and the strength of our enduring ties,” he remarked.
The premier further stated: “We discussed the evolving regional situation, particularly in the Gulf region, and underscored the importance of de-escalation, dialogue, and close international coordination to ensure peace and stability.
The prime minister also reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of attacks targeting Qatar and other regional countries, expressing solidarity with the Qatari people.
“I reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of attacks targeting Qatar and other regional countries, and conveyed our full solidarity with the brotherly people of Qatar,” he added.
The premier further said: “We also reviewed our deep-rooted bilateral ties and reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening cooperation in key areas including security, defence, and energy.”
Earlier, upon arrival in Doha, the prime minister and his delegation were warmly received by Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi. A smartly turned-out contingent of the Qatari Armed Forces presented a guard of honour, underscoring the significance of the visit.
In a gesture marking the occasion, Pakistani flags were displayed prominently at the airport and across parts of the Qatari capital, reflecting the close and friendly ties between the two countries.
Senior members of the Pakistani delegation accompanying the prime minister include Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and the prime minister’s spokesperson for international media, Mosharraf Zaidi.
The prime minister will also travel to Turkiye following his visit to the Kingdom, the Foreign Office said. It added that the visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar take place in a bilateral context, where the prime minister will discuss ongoing cooperation as well as regional peace and security.
During his visit to Turkiye, the prime minister will participate in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where he is scheduled to join the Leaders’ Panel alongside other global figures and present Pakistan’s perspective.
The visit follows as Pakistan has taken centre stage as host of high-stakes US-Iran talks in Islamabad, drawing global attention amid rising regional tensions.
On the sidelines of the forum, PM Shehbaz is expected to hold bilateral meetings, including with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other key world leaders, according to the FO.
The much-anticipated US-Iran talks in Islamabad, which ran from Saturday into early Sunday, were the first direct engagements between the two countries meeting in more than a decade and the highest-level discussions since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The talks came just days after a ceasefire took effect on April 8, aimed at ending six weeks of fighting that had killed thousands across the Gulf, disrupted critical energy supplies and fuelled fears of a wider regional conflict.
Despite 21 hours of intense discussions, the two sides failed to reach a formal agreement. In the aftermath, the US military announced plans to impose a blockade on all maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, putting the fragile two-week ceasefire at risk.
A second round of talks is expected to be held in Islamabad before the ceasefire ends, with Trump saying it could take place within the next few days.
