Pakistan's PM Shahbaz meets Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim, offers condolences on his father's death

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's “steadfast solidarity” with the leadership and people of Qatar on Monday as he extended condolences on the passing of former Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The premier arrived in Doha on Monday for a one-day visit to offer his condolences with a high-level delegation in tow, including former PM and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other senior officials.

A press release from the PM Office said that the premier and the delegation called on Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani at the Lusail Palace and conveyed “heartfelt condolences at the sad demise” of his father.

The prime minister paid “rich tribute” to the former Emir’s “visionary leadership, statesmanship and enduring contributions to Qatar's remarkable transformation as well as to regional peace, stability, and development.”

“The prime minister 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,” the statement said, adding that Shahbaz reaffirmed Pakistan's “steadfast solidarity with the leadership and people of Qatar during this period of profound grief.”

The PMO said Sheikh Tamim thanked 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.”

 The PM and accompanied delegation were earlier received at Doha airport by Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Sheikh Saud Bin Abdulrahman Bin Hassan Bin Ali Al Thani.

In an earlier statement, the PMO described the visit as reflecting the "decades-long fraternal ties" between Pakistan and Qatar, as well as the close relationship between the Qatari royal family, the people of Qatar, and the governments and peoples of the two countries.

Qatar’s government on Sunday announced the death of former leader Sheikh Hamad, who led the country from 1995 to 2013.
 
Earlier, Pakistan has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the passing of Sheikh Hamad, who died at the age of 74.
 
Moreover, the federal government had decided to observe a day of mourning in Pakistan on Monday over the death of former Emir of Qatar.
 
According to a notification, government of Pakistan declared July 13 as a national day of mourning. The national flag will fly at half-mast across the country on the national day of mourning.
 
Prime Minister had announced the day of mourning over the passing of the former Emir of Qatar as Islamabad expressed solidarity with the government, royal family, and people of Qatar.