Says Sheikh Hamad played pivotal role in strengthening ties of friendship with Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the passing away of former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, paying tribute to his leadership and extending their condolences to Qatar’s leaders, the Al Thani family and its people.
In a post on
He said the late Sheikh Hamad’s “lasting contributions to the well-being of his nation and people, as well as to regional peace, development and international cooperation, will be remembered for generations to come.”
The Prime Minister said that on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan and himself, he extended his “heartfelt condolences” to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the members of the Al Thani family, the Government and the people of Qatar.
“We sympathize with them in this moment of deep pain,” he wrote.
The Prime Minister also said that Pakistan “will always cherish Father Amir’s warmth, kindness and deep affection for Pakistan, as well as the fond memories of his many visits to our country.”
Deeply saddened by the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, former Emir of the State of Qatar.
Father Amir, the late Sheikh Hamad, was a great leader and statesman whose wisdom, foresight and dedication to public service transformed Qatar into…
– Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 12, 2026
He prayed that Almighty Allah grants the late Father Amir “the highest place in Jannat ul Firdaus” and blesses the Royal Family and the people of Qatar with “strength, patience and fortitude” to bear the loss.
In a separate post on
“During his reign, he played a pivotal role in the modern development of Qatar and in strengthening ties of friendship with Pakistan,” Dar wrote, adding that “the late leader’s visionary leadership and contributions to regional peace will long be remembered.”
Dar, on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan and himself, expressed his “deepest condolences” to the Al Thani family, the Emir, the Government and the people of Qatar.
Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, former Emir of the State of Qatar.
During his reign, he played a pivotal role in the modern development of Qatar and strengthening ties of friendship with Pakistan. Your visionary…
– Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 12, 2026
He also prayed that “Allah Almighty grant the soul of the deceased the highest place in Jannah and give the bereaved family strength to bear this loss. Ameen.”
The former emir of Qatar, who revolutionized the country from its Bedouin origins into a regional power, has died at the age of 74, the nation’s top government body Amiri Diwan said on Sunday.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, before abdicating to his son Sheikh Tamim, the current leader of the gas-rich Gulf country.
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“The Amiri Diwan announced the death of His Holiness Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani on Sunday morning. May Allah have mercy on his soul and grant him the best reward for what he achieved for his homeland and his nation,” the Diwan said.
Sheikh Hamad had raised Qatar’s global profile through the development of the Al Jazeera television network, as well as its successful bid to host the 2022 Football World Cup.
The US ally state is small, with more than 2.5 million inhabitants, but it is the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas in the world, a global investment power and a great weight in diplomacy and international media in the Middle East.
Sheikh Hamad handed power to his son, the then crown prince, in June 2013, in a rare abdication by a Gulf Arab hereditary ruler, to try to ensure a smooth succession. He himself had overthrown his father in a bloodless coup in 1995.
Additional contributions from Reuters
