Prime Minister Shehbaz and Emir of Qatar discuss regional developments in phone call

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed recent developments in the Middle East with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region amid warnings from Washington over possible actions in response to Iran’s crackdown on protests.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders exchanged detailed views on the evolving situation in the Middle East during a telephone conversation on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz appreciated Qatar’s constructive and proactive role in promoting peace, dialogue and mediation in the region, and acknowledged Doha’s efforts, conveyed through diplomatic channels, to help reduce regional tensions.

Read: Qatar confirms departure of US personnel from Al Udeid base as tensions with Iran rise

The Prime Minister assured the Qatari leadership that Pakistan would continue to play a positive and responsible role in efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.

The call was aimed at further cementing friendly relations between Pakistan and Qatar. Both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the current pace of bilateral cooperation and reiterated their shared determination to deepen these fraternal relations in various fields.

The two leaders also agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days to further enhance cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Qatar.

The conversation came at a critical time, with tensions high in the Middle East as Iran’s leadership attempts to quell the worst internal unrest the Islamic Republic has ever faced, while also seeking to deter US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to intervene on behalf of anti-government protesters.

The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) said on Wednesday that Iranian security forces have killed at least 3,428 protesters in the crackdown on demonstrations, adding that more than 10,000 people have also been arrested.

IHR said the increase in its verified figure was due to new information received from within the Iranian health and education ministries, and that at least 3,379 of the killings occurred during the height of the protest movement from January 8 to 12.

The United States is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a US official said Wednesday, after a senior Iranian official stated that Tehran had warned its neighbors that it would attack US bases if Washington attacks.

Two European officials said a U.S. military intervention appeared likely, with one noting it could happen within the next 24 hours. An Israeli official also said it appeared Trump had made the decision to intervene, although the extent and timing have not yet been made clear.