Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a significant meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Thursday, emphasizing the need for restraint and dialogue amid the ongoing Middle East crisis. This encounter occurred shortly after the prime minister’s arrival in Doha, marking the second phase of his April 15-18 regional tour following his visit to Saudi Arabia the previous day.
Upon landing at Doha International Airport, PM Shehbaz expressed gratitude for Qatar’s warm hospitality, particularly acknowledging the gesture of Qatar’s fighter jets escorting the Pakistani aircraft into Qatari airspace. He described this act as a reflection of Qatar’s renowned generosity and the strong bonds between the two nations.
During their discussions, the leaders focused on the evolving situation in the Gulf region, stressing the importance of de-escalation, dialogue, and coordinated international efforts to maintain peace and stability. The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of attacks targeting Qatar and other countries in the region, affirming solidarity with the Qatari people.
Furthermore, the meeting reviewed the longstanding bilateral relationship, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to enhancing cooperation in critical sectors such as security, defense, and energy.
On arrival, PM Shehbaz and his delegation received a warm welcome from Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi. A guard of honour by the Qatari Armed Forces highlighted the visit’s importance, while Pakistani flags were prominently displayed across Doha, symbolizing the close ties between the two countries.
Accompanying the prime minister were senior officials including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi. Following Doha, the prime minister is scheduled to visit Turkiye to participate in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where he will join the Leaders’ Panel and present Pakistan’s viewpoint on regional issues.
This diplomatic tour comes as Pakistan plays a pivotal role hosting high-stakes US-Iran talks in Islamabad, drawing international attention amid escalating regional tensions. The recent talks, held from Saturday into early Sunday, marked the first direct engagement between the US and Iran in over a decade and the highest-level dialogue since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Although the ceasefire that began on April 8 aimed to halt six weeks of deadly conflict disrupting energy supplies and raising fears of wider war, the 21-hour discussions did not yield a formal agreement. Subsequently, the US announced plans to blockade maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports, jeopardizing the fragile ceasefire.
A second round of talks is anticipated in Islamabad before the ceasefire expires, with expectations that it may occur within days, signaling ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
