ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, departed for Qatar on Monday to offer condolences over the death of Qatar’s former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
During his one-day trip, the prime minister will meet Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He will also offer condolences to the emir, the Qatari royal family and the people of Qatar over the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Prime Minister office said in a statemennt on X.
The visit reflects the decades-long fraternal ties between the Qatari royal family, the people of Qatar, and the governments and people of Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar are also accompanying the prime minister.
Yesterday, a national day of mourning was declared across Pakistan on July 13 following the death of the former Qatari ruler.
اسلام آباد: 13 جولائی 2026.
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف اپنے ایک روزہ دورہء قطر پر اسلام آباد سے روانہ ہو گئے ہیں. سابق وزیرِ اعظم میاں محمد نواز شریف بھی وزیر اعظم کے ہمراہ ہیں۔
وزیر اعظم قطر کے امیر شیخ تمیم بن حمد آلثانی سے ملاقات کریں گے اور قطر کے سابق امیر مرحوم شیخ حمد بن… pic.twitter.com/QgZzi7TYSv
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) July 13, 2026
Under a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the national flag was ordered to be flown at half-mast on all government buildings throughout the country.
The decision was announced as a mark of respect for the late former emir and in solidarity with the people of Qatar.
Pakistan’s government said it shared the grief of the Qatari government, the royal family and the people of Qatar, and extended its deepest condolences during their time of mourning.
Tributes were paid to Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for his leadership and contribution to Qatar’s development, stability and growing role in international affairs.
Pakistan and Qatar were described as close partners with longstanding ties. Cooperation has continued in trade, investment, energy and manpower.
The declaration of national mourning was said to reflect the strong and enduring relationship between the two countries.
Funeral prayers for the former emir were offered in Doha earlier in the day, according to Qatari media.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and other senior officials were reported to have attended the funeral.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died earlier on Sunday at the age of 74.
A four-day mourning period was announced in Qatar following his death.
Separately, the British Embassy in Qatar lowered the Union Flag to half-mast in tribute to the late former emir.
