PM Shehbaz Sharif meets Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha; Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir are also present. Photo: Express
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held what he described as a “warm and productive” meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha, with discussions spanning bilateral cooperation and the evolving regional situation.
In a statement posted on X after the meeting, the prime minister said he had an “excellent meeting” with the Qatari leader and underscored the desire of both sides to transform their “brotherly fraternal bonds” into “mutually beneficial economic relationships”.
“I was also joined by DPM/FM Senator Ishaq Dar and CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir,” the prime minister noted, referring to the high-level delegation accompanying him.
According to the prime minister, the discussions focused on advancing political ties into stronger economic partnerships.
“Our most warm and productive discussions focused on how our two sides can advance our brotherly fraternal bonds and transform them into mutually beneficial economic relationships,” he said.
The two sides also reviewed the broader regional situation.
“Pakistan and Qatar will continue to work together for peace and stability in the region and beyond,” the prime minister added, without elaborating further.
While the statement did not explicitly spell out specific regional flashpoints, it is understood that ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Iran-US standoff, and efforts surrounding a Gaza peace plan figured in the discussions, given the fast-evolving security environment in the wider region.
Separately, an official statement issued after the prime minister’s meeting with the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, provided further details of 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 the Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi were also present.
The two leaders held detailed 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 over the growing momentum in political, economic and institutional engagement.
According to the statement, the talks focused on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, energy, defence, labour mobility and cultural collaboration. The two sides also agreed to activate a joint task force mandated to accelerate cooperation across these sectors.
Both countries emphasised 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 developments in Gaza and broader Gulf security dynamics, also came under discussion. The prime minister appreciated Qatar’s constructive diplomatic efforts in promoting dialogue and de-escalation in the region.
Qatar has in recent years positioned itself as a key mediator in regional conflicts, and Pakistan has consistently supported diplomatic initiatives aimed at lowering tensions in the Middle East.
Both leaders underscored the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes and adherence to international law, including the UN Charter. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Pakistan and Qatar to further strengthen their strategic partnership and to remain engaged and in contact on bilateral, regional and international issues.
The prime minister’s visit comes at a time of heightened geopolitical flux, with multiple crises intersecting across South Asia and the Middle East. Against this backdrop, Islamabad appears keen to deepen coordination with Doha, a country that has played an increasingly prominent diplomatic role, while simultaneously seeking to convert strong political ties into concrete economic gains.
