Prime Minister Shehbaz, Dar condoles the death of the former Qatari Emir

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the passing away of the former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and paid tribute to his leadership and condoled with Qatar’s leadership, the Al Thani family and its people.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz said he was “deeply saddened” by the former emir’s passing, describing him as “a great leader and statesman whose wisdom, foresight and dedication to public service transformed Qatar into a modern, prosperous and globally respected nation”.

He said the late Sheikh Hamad’s “lasting contribution to the welfare of his nation and its people as well as to regional peace, development and international cooperation will be remembered for generations to come”.

The prime minister said that on behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan and himself, he expressed “heartfelt condolences” to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the members of the Al Thani family, the government and the people of Qatar.

“We stand in solidarity with them in this moment of deep sorrow,” he wrote.

The prime minister also said Pakistan would “always cherish Father Amir’s warmth, kindness and deep devotion to Pakistan, as well as the fond memories of his many visits to our country”.

He prayed that Allah Almighty grant the late father Amir “the highest place in Jannat ul Firdaus” and bless the royal family and the people of Qatar with “strength, patience and endurance” to bear the loss.

In a separate post on X, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said he was “deeply saddened” by the former emir’s passing.

“During his reign, he played a pivotal role in Qatar’s modern development and in strengthening ties of friendship with Pakistan,” Dar wrote, adding that the late leader’s “visionary leadership and contribution to regional peace will be long remembered”.

Dar, on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan and himself, expressed “heartfelt condolences” to the Al Thani family, the Emir, the government and people of Qatar.

He also prayed that “Allah Almighty grant the departed soul the highest place in Jannah and give the bereaved family strength to bear this loss. Ameen.”

Qatar’s former emir, who revolutionized Qatar from its Bedouin background into a regional powerhouse, has died at the age of 74, the country’s Amiri Diwan, its top governing body, said on Sunday.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013 before abdicating to his son Sheikh Tamim, the current leader of the gas-rich Gulf country.

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“The Amiri Diwan announced the death of HH the father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani on Sunday morning. May Allah have mercy on his soul and give him the best reward for what he achieved for his homeland and nation,” the Diwan said.

Sheikh Hamad had raised Qatar’s global profile through the development of the Al Jazeera television network, as well as its successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament.

The US-allied state is small with more than 2.5 million people, but is the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, a global investment powerhouse and a major player in Middle East diplomacy and international media.

Sheikh Hamad handed power to his son, the then crown prince, in June 2013 in a rare abdication by a hereditary Gulf Arab ruler to try to ensure a smooth succession. He himself had overthrown his father in a bloodless coup in 1995.

Additional input from Reuters