Prime Minister Shehbaz expresses solidarity with Emir of Qatar and urges reduction of tension and dialogue for regional peace

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed solidarity with Qatar and called for reduction of tensions and dialogue for peace in the Middle East during a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Day X, the meeting, held at the Amiri Diwan, lasted more than an hour. Both leaders discussed the latest regional and international developments, particularly in the Middle East.

“At the outset, the Emir of Qatar welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz and his delegation, and expressed his deep appreciation for Pakistan’s pivotal role in supporting efforts to reduce tensions in the region and promote diplomatic dialogue in a manner that serves regional security and stability,” the PMO statement read.

He added that the Prime Minister renewed his condemnation of the attacks on Qatar and other Gulf countries, while reaffirming Pakistan’s full solidarity and support for the leadership and people of Qatar.

“Both leaders underlined the importance of supporting tension-reduction efforts and enhancing international coordination to ensure security and stability in the region, in particular by ensuring the smooth flow of energy supply chains is maintained,” he added.

The PMO said the two leaders also reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to further strengthen ties, particularly in the fields of security, defense and energy, in a way that enhances the partnership and opens new avenues of cooperation.

The statement added that the Emir of Qatar and Prime Minister Shehbaz also held a one-on-one meeting, during which they exchanged views on developments of mutual interest and emphasized the importance of continued coordination and consultation between the two countries, particularly in light of the ongoing developments and their implications for regional security and stability.

The meeting was attended by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Head of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi and several senior officials.

On the Pakistani side, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials attended.

Later, the Prime Minister in a post on

Prime Minister Shehbaz added that he was truly moved by the gesture, which embodies the spirit of Qatar’s renowned hospitality and the strength of the long-standing ties between the two countries.

Upon arriving in Doha, Prime Minister Shehbaz was received by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, where the Prime Minister and his delegation were given a guard of honour.

In a separate statement announcing the prime minister’s arrival in Doha, the PMO detailed the grand welcome Prime Minister Shehbaz received: upon entering Qatari airspace, “Qatar Air Force fighter jets escorted the prime minister’s aircraft in a ceremonial and security formation, accompanying him to the airport.”

The Prime Minister had earlier been to Saudi Arabia as part of his three-nation tour. He is also expected to visit Turkiye, with the tour continuing until Friday amid ongoing discussions about peace in the Middle East.

The prime minister’s meeting with the emir of Qatar came four days after the United States and Iran failed to reach a deal to end their war despite marathon negotiations that lasted around 21 hours. The protracted talks, aimed at stopping hostilities that have killed thousands of people and sent global oil prices soaring over the past six weeks, ended with both sides blaming each other for the stalemate.

On April 11, delegations from the United States and Iran arrived in Pakistan for conclusive talks following an immediate two-week ceasefire “everywhere, including Lebanon,” announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz, who later invited delegations from both countries to Islamabad.

The United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on February 28, killing thousands of people in Iran, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and leaving tens of thousands injured, including civilian areas, including residential buildings and religious sites.

The conflict also expanded geographically. Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks against Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. It also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.