During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz is scheduled to meet Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
DOHA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Doha on Monday for a daylong visit to convey Pakistan’s condolences following the death of former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Shehbaz is accompanied by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar.
The Pakistani delegation was received at Doha International Airport by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani.
During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz is scheduled to meet Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at Lusail Palace, where he will personally convey condolences to the Emir, the Qatari royal family and the people of Qatar over the passing of the former ruler.
On Sunday, Shehbaz described Sheikh Hamad as “a great leader and statesman” whose vision, wisdom and dedication transformed Qatar into a modern, prosperous and globally respected nation.
To express solidarity with Qatar, the Pakistani government declared July 13 a day of national mourning, with the national flag flying at half-staff across the country.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died Sunday at the age of 74, according to Qatar’s Amiri Diwan. He ruled the Gulf nation from 1995 to 2013 before voluntarily handing power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
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Widely credited with reshaping Qatar’s global profile, Sheikh Hamad oversaw the country’s emergence as the world’s leading exporter of liquefied natural gas and a major player in regional diplomacy, international investment and global media.
