Shehbaz, Nawaz condole with Qatari leadership

Shehbaz, Nawaz condole with Qatari leadership

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condoles with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani following the death of former ruler Sheikh Hamad, as former prime minister Nawaz Sharif looks on, at Lusail Palace on the outskirts of Doha. Photo: AFP

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ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Doha on Monday to personally convey condolences on behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan to the leadership and people of Qatar on the passing of the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The prime minister was accompanied by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other senior officials, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The prime minister and the Pakistan delegation called on Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and conveyed heartfelt condolences at the sad demise of the Father Amir. He 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.

The prime minister recalled with deep appreciation, the Father Amir's warmth, kindness, and abiding affection for Pakistan, and his many memorable visits to the country over the years. He also reaffirmed Pakistan's steadfast solidarity with the leadership and people of Qatar during this period of profound grief, and prayed that Allah Almighty grant the departed soul the highest place in Jannatul Firdaus and bestow strength upon the Royal family and the Qatari nation to bear this irreparable loss.

The Qatari Amir thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and 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 people.

Father Amir and former Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani passed away on Sunday at the age of 74. He served as Qatar's Amir from 1995 to 2013, when he became the first ruler in the Gulf in modern times to voluntarily transfer power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

On Monday, Pakistan observed a day of national mourning "in expression of fraternal solidarity on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan with the Royal Family, Government and people of Qatar," according to a Cabinet Division notification.