ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday received a telephone call from Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, amid rising tensions in the region.
During the conversation, the Qatari prime minister conveyed his country’s willingness to play a role in de-escalating the situation between India and Pakistan, following recent cross-border hostilities.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for Qatar’s solidarity during what he described as a “difficult time” for the region. He condemned India’s missile strikes on six Pakistani sites as “an unprovoked act of war,” adding that the attacks had claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including women and children, and had damaged mosques.
“The cowardly attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity has imperiled peace and stability in the South Asia region,” the Pakistani premier stated.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace, Shehbaz said the country would nevertheless defend its sovereignty “with full vigour and force.”
Referring to the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Shehbaz said Pakistan had earlier proposed a neutral and transparent international investigation into India’s allegations, which Islamabad denies. “Pakistan would be happy if Qatar were to join this effort,” he added. “However, India has chosen the dangerous path of aggression, which demonstrates its irresponsible State behaviour and aversion to peace.”
The Qatari prime minister expressed his condolences over the loss of innocent lives and appreciated Pakistan’s restraint and its efforts to preserve peace in the region.
