Qatar Mourning: Shehbaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif Visit Doha to Offer Condolences Over Former Emir’s Death
Pakistan’s prime minister leads a high-level delegation to Qatar as the Gulf nation mourns former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, whose leadership transformed the country into a global power.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Doha to offer condolences to Qatar's leadership.
Qatar Mourning brought Pakistan’s top leadership to Doha on Monday as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in the Qatari capital to offer condolences following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The one-day visit reflects the longstanding diplomatic and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Qatar. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif travelled with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif and a senior government delegation.
Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, welcomed the delegation at Hamad International Airport.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif will meet Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at Lusail Palace. During the meeting, he will convey Pakistan’s condolences to the Amir, the Qatari royal family, and the people of Qatar following the passing of the former ruler.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar are also accompanying the prime minister.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the visit highlights the decades-long friendship between Pakistan and Qatar and demonstrates solidarity with the Qatari leadership during the national period of mourning.
Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died at the age of 74, according to Qatar’s Amiri Diwan. He ruled the Gulf state from 1995 until 2013 before voluntarily handing power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
During his leadership, Sheikh Hamad transformed Qatar into a major global player. He expanded the country’s international influence through investments, diplomacy, and energy exports. His government also established the Al Jazeera television network and secured Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Despite its relatively small population of more than 2.5 million people, Qatar has become one of the world’s leading exporters of liquefied natural gas and an influential voice in regional and international affairs.
Sheikh Hamad made history in 2013 when he voluntarily transferred power to the then Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim in a rare and peaceful succession among Gulf Arab monarchies.
