PM Shehbaz, Nawaz visit Doha to offer condolences on ex-Qatari emir's demise

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif undertook a day-long visit to Doha on Monday, to personally convey condolences on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, to the leadership and people of Qatar on the passing away of the former emir of Qatar, the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

PM Shehbaz was accompanied by former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Atta Ullah Tarar and other senior officials.

In Doha, the prime minister and Pakistani delegation called on Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and conveyed heartfelt condolences at the demise of the father emir.

Shehbaz paid tribute to the late father emir’s visionary leadership, statesmanship, and enduring contributions to Qatar’s remarkable transformation as well as to regional peace, stability, and development.

The premier recalled with deep appreciation, the father emir’s warmth, kindness, and abiding affection for Pakistan, and his many memorable visits to the country over the years.

Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast solidarity with the leadership and people of Qatar during this period of profound grief, and prayed that Allah Almighty grant the departed soul the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdaus and bestow strength upon the royal family and the Qatari nation to bear this irreparable loss.

The Qatari emir thanked PM Shehbaz, former PM Nawaz, DPM Dar and the delegation for the special gesture of travelling to Doha to personally offer condolences, describing it as a reflection of the deep-rooted fraternal bonds between the two brotherly countries and peoples.

Earlier, upon arrival at Doha Airport, the Pakistani delegation was received by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani.

A day ago, PM Shehbaz had announced the observance of a day of mourning in Pakistan on Monday, on the passing of Sheikh Hamad. A notification was issued by the Cabinet Division in this regard.

“This decision has been taken by the Government of Pakistan and its people as an expression of solidarity and condolences with the royal family, government, and people of Qatar. On the passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, a day of mourning will be observed across the country on Monday, July 13, 2026. The national flag will fly at half-mast throughout the country,” read the notification.

Qatar’s former emir, who revolutionised Qatar out of its Bedouin background to a ​regional powerhouse, has died at the age of 74, ‌the nation’s Amiri Diwan, its top government body, said on Sunday.

Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 ​to 2013, before abdicating to his son Sheikh ​Tamim, the current leader of the gas-rich Gulf ⁠country.

“The Amiri Diwan announced the death of HH the ​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 ​nation,” the Diwan said.

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Sheikh Hamad had elevated Qatar’s global ​profile through the development of the Al Jazeera television network, as ‌well ⁠as its successful bid to host the 2022 soccer World Cup tournament.

The US-allied state is small, with more than 2.5 million people, but is the world’s largest ​exporter of liquefied ​natural gas, ⁠a global investment powerhouse and heavy hitter in Middle East diplomacy and international media.

Sheikh ​Hamad handed power to his son, the ​then crown ⁠prince, in June 2013 in a rare abdication by a hereditary Gulf Arab ruler, to try to ensure a ⁠smooth ​succession. He himself had overthrown ​his father in a bloodless coup in 1995.