Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday departed for Qatar to express “solidarity and regional unity” after Israeli airstrikes[1] targeted residential areas in Doha earlier this week, the Foreign Office (FO) said.
On Tuesday, Israel launched an airstrike against Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital of Doha, expanding military actions that have ranged across the Middle East to include the Gulf Arab state where the Palestinian group has long had its political base. According to Hamas sources, the group’s representatives were targeted while they were discussing[2] United States President Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Qatar condemned the attack as “cowardly” and called it a flagrant violation of international law.
“PM Shehbaz, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and a high-level delegation, will meet Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to convey Islamabad’s sympathies and support for the Gulf state today,” The FO statement said.
“The visit underscores Pakistan’s unwavering support for the security and sovereignty of Qatar and its commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East,” said the statement.
“The prime minister will meet with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha to convey Pakistan’s deepest sympathies and support for the Qatari leadership and people,” it added.
According to state-run Associated Press of Pakistan[3], their meeting “will also include consultations on Israel’s unwarranted attacks on various countries in the region, its ongoing aggression, and efforts to establish peace in the region”.
Doha and Egypt have also been instrumental[4] in US-backed attempts to hammer out a ceasefire[5] in Gaza, and have been working tirelessly to help secure a deal that would see prisoners being freed on both sides.
Qatar and Pakistan share strong diplomatic ties, rooted in their shared faith and values.
Earlier this month, the two countries reaffirmed[6] their commitment to regional peace and stability during a meeting between Pakistan’s top military official, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and the Qatari military leadership on his visit to Qatar.
References
- ^ Israeli airstrikes (www.dawn.com)
- ^ discussing (www.dawn.com)
- ^ Associated Press of Pakistan (www.app.com.pk)
- ^ instrumental (www.dawn.com)
- ^ ceasefire (www.dawn.com)
- ^ reaffirmed (www.dawn.com)