Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Qatar on Thursday, leading a high-level delegation in a gesture of solidarity after Israeli airstrikes struck residential areas in Doha earlier this week. According to the Foreign Office, the premier is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar.
The Foreign Office said the visit reflects Pakistan’s unwavering support for Qatar’s sovereignty and its commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East. During his stay, the prime minister will meet Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to personally convey condolences and Pakistan’s support to the Qatari leadership and people.
The trip follows one of the first Israeli strikes on Qatari soil, which targeted residential buildings in Doha’s West Bay area. Qatar denounced the assault as a “cowardly and criminal act” and a blatant violation of international law. Earlier, PM Shehbaz strongly condemned the strikes, calling them a brazen violation of sovereignty and a provocation threatening regional peace. He assured Sheikh Tamim of Pakistan’s solidarity and said Israel’s unlawful bombing reflected a reckless mindset that endangers the wider region.
