ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif departed for Qatar on a one-day official visit to convey condolences following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who played a pivotal role in shaping modern Qatar.
The prime minister is accompanied by former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, and other senior officials.
During his visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will meet Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and convey sympathies on behalf of the Pakistani leadership and people over the demise of the former ruler.
The Qatari government announced the passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani on Sunday, with the Emir’s office expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the former leader.
“With hearts steadfast in faith in God’s decree and destiny, the Bureau of the Emir mourns the great loss to the nation of the late Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani,” the official statement said.
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Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013 and was widely recognised as a key architect of the country’s transformation into a prominent regional and international actor.
Sheikh Hamad assumed power in June 1995 after a bloodless transition while his father was abroad. He inherited a relatively small Gulf state and oversaw its rapid economic expansion, driven by the growth of Qatar’s energy sector.
Under his leadership, Qatar strengthened its global influence through major diplomatic, economic, and media initiatives, including the establishment of Al Jazeera in 1996.
His tenure also witnessed significant investments in infrastructure, international partnerships, and the development of Qatar’s role as a major player in global affairs.
In June 2013, Sheikh Hamad voluntarily handed over leadership to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in a rare peaceful succession in the Arab world.
The former emir’s legacy remains closely associated with Qatar’s emergence from a modest Gulf state into a globally influential nation with significant economic and diplomatic reach.
