PM visits Doha, offers condolences on former Qatari emir's demise

• Premier Shehbaz meets Emir Sheikh Tamim, reaffirms Pakistan's solidarity with Qatar during national mourning

• Pays tribute to Sheikh Hamad's visionary leadership and role in Qatar's transformation

• Qatari Emir appreciates Pakistan's gesture, calls it a reflection of deep fraternal ties

• Pakistan observes national day of mourning as flags fly at half-mast across the country

  ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday travelled to Doha to offer Pakistan's condolences over the passing of Qatar's former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, where he met Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and reaffirmed Pakistan's solidarity with the leadership and people of Qatar during their time of national mourning, according to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif along with former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif visits Lusail Palace in Doha to offer condolences to Amir of Qatar H.E. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the demise of Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. pic.twitter.com/QPl1dWj1K5

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 13, 2026

Prime Minister Shehbaz was accompanied by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other senior Pakistani officials, underscoring the significance Islamabad attaches to its longstanding fraternal ties with Qatar.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے ایک روزہ دورہ قطر کے دوران امیرِ قطر عزت مآب شیخ تمیم بن حمد آل ثانی سے ملاقات کر کے امیرِ والد، شیخ حمد بن خلیفہ آل ثانی کے انتقال پر حکومتِ پاکستان اور پاکستانی عوام کی جانب سے دلی تعزیت اور ہمدردی کا اظہار کیا۔

وزیراعظم نے مرحوم امیرِ والد کی… pic.twitter.com/YRsx3XTAof

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 13, 2026

Sheikh Hamad, who served as Qatar's emir from 1995 to 2013 before transferring power to his son, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, is widely credited with transforming Qatar into a leading regional and global diplomatic and economic power through rapid development and an active foreign policy.

Qatar remains one of Pakistan's closest partners in the Gulf, hosting hundreds of thousands of Pakistani workers while maintaining close cooperation with Islamabad in energy, investment and regional diplomacy. More recently, Doha and Islamabad have worked closely on diplomatic initiatives aimed at promoting regional stability, including efforts related to tensions between the United States and Iran.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, arrived in Doha on a one-day visit to the State of Qatar.

Upon arrival at Doha Airport, the Prime Minister, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and the Pakistani delegation… pic.twitter.com/ooo3u0EZnn

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 13, 2026

"The Prime Minister and Pakistan delegation called on His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and conveyed heartfelt condolences at the sad demise of the Father Amir," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid rich tribute to the late Father Amir's visionary leadership, statesmanship and enduring contributions to Qatar's remarkable transformation, as well as to regional peace, stability and development.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif along with Former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif arrive in Doha for their one day official visit. Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani received… pic.twitter.com/o189i0YMAY

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 13, 2026

The prime minister also recalled the late emir's deep affection for Pakistan and reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with the leadership and people of Qatar during this period of profound grief.

"His Highness the Amir thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq 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," the PMO statement added.

Earlier, on Sunday, Pakistan declared July 13 a national day of mourning "in expression of fraternal solidarity" with Qatar following the demise of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

A notification issued by the Cabinet Division said national flags would remain at half-mast across the country on Monday as a mark of respect for the late former emir.