By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Thursday, urging Muslim nations to unite against Israeli aggression following a deadly airstrike in Doha that killed at least six people, including a Qatari security guard.
The one-day visit, a show of solidarity, highlighted growing regional alarm over Israel’s actions, which have disrupted delicate Gaza ceasefire talks.
The Sept. 9 Israeli airstrike targeted a residential building in Qatar’s capital, which Israel said was aimed at Hamas officials. Qatar condemned the attack as a “cowardly” and “criminal” violation of international law.
Sharif, in a statement released after the talks, called it a “blatant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning that such actions “clearly aim to undermine regional stability and jeopardize ongoing diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.”
“The prime minister emphasized that Israel’s ongoing aggression in the Middle East must be stopped and the Muslim world needs unity in its ranks to confront Israeli provocations,” Sharif’s office said.
Hamas said the Doha strike targeted its representatives discussing a ceasefire proposal from President Donald Trump. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told CNN on Wednesday that Israel’s “state terrorism” had “killed any hope” for hostage negotiations, prompting Doha to reassess its role and consult regional partners ahead of an Arab-Islamic summit set for Sept. 15 in Doha.
Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, Sharif expressed deep concern over the attack’s breach of international law. He offered condolences for the “precious lives” lost in what he termed Israel’s “brutal and heinous” assault and prayed for the injured’s swift recovery.
“Pakistan has stood shoulder to shoulder with his highness the emir of Qatar, the royal family, and the brotherly people of Qatar during this difficult time,” Sharif said, reaffirming the historic ties between the two nations. He pledged Pakistan’s “complete solidarity and support” against the “unjustified provocation.”
Sharif praised Qatar’s “responsible and constructive” mediation in Gaza ceasefire efforts, alongside Egypt, in US-backed talks to secure a prisoner exchange.
The Prime Minister also endorsed Qatar’s call for an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting to address the Middle East crisis and welcomed the upcoming summit, noting Pakistan’s readiness to co-sponsor and co-organize it with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
“Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination in promoting regional peace, upholding international law, and supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” the statement said. The Gaza conflict, which has killed over 64,600 people since October 2023, according to Palestinian health authorities, continues to drive regional instability.
Sharif departed Doha Thursday evening, seen off by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani.
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