ISLAMABAD: Shehbaz Sharif and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday emphasized diplomacy and peaceful dispute resolution amid rising regional tensions involving Iran and Afghanistan, during high level talks in Doha.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the leaders reviewed bilateral relations, regional developments, and international issues of mutual concern, reaffirming their commitment to dialogue, de-escalation, and stronger political and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Qatar. The Qatari emir accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan later this year.
Senior Pakistani officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Asim Munir, attended the meeting. Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination on key regional matters and deepen cooperation across political, economic, and security sectors.
Earlier, Sharif also met Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, where both sides stressed collective efforts for peace and stability, particularly regarding the situations in Iran and Afghanistan. Discussions included defence collaboration, with Qatar expressing interest in expanding military cooperation and praising the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces.
The meetings come as Pakistan-Afghanistan relations remain strained. Islamabad accuses Kabul of failing to prevent cross-border attacks and recently conducted intelligence-based air strikes on alleged militant hideouts inside Afghanistan following a series of terrorist incidents in Pakistan. Officials said over 100 militants were killed in the operation.
Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East have intensified, with the United States increasing its military presence in the region to pressure Iran ahead of renewed negotiations, raising fears of a broader conflict.
In separate talks, Sharif met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to review economic cooperation. Both sides agreed to enhance collaboration in trade, investment, energy, labour mobility, defence, and culture, and to accelerate work through joint institutional mechanisms.
Regional issues, including developments in Gaza and Gulf security dynamics, were also discussed. Pakistan appreciated Qatar’s diplomatic role in promoting dialogue and de-escalation.
Additionally, Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed met Sharif to advance business and investment ties. The two countries agreed to convene a joint task force meeting during Ramadan to finalize proposals for Qatari investments in Pakistan, particularly in agriculture, food, and value-added exports.
Sharif arrived in Doha on a two-day official visit his third trip to Qatar in five months underscoring the growing strategic importance of relations between the two countries.
