Premier reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability as tensions rise in Middle East
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the latest developments in the Middle East with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region amid Washington’s warnings of potential action in response to Iran’s crackdown on protests.
According to a statement from the prime minister’s office, the two leaders exchanged detailed views on the development of the situation in the Middle East during a telephone conversation on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz appreciated Qatar’s constructive and proactive role in promoting peace, dialogue and mediation in the region and acknowledged Doha’s efforts, mediated through diplomatic channels, to help reduce regional tensions.
Read: Qatar confirms US personnel departure from Al Udeid base as Iran tensions rise
The Prime Minister assured Qatar’s leadership that Pakistan would continue to play a positive and responsible role in efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.
The call was aimed at further consolidating the friendly relations between Pakistan and Qatar. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the current pace of bilateral cooperation and reiterated their joint resolve to deepen these fraternal ties across various fields.
The two leaders also agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days to further strengthen cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Qatar.
The talk came at a critical time, with tensions high in the Middle East, as Iran’s leadership tries to quell the worst domestic unrest the Islamic Republic has ever faced while trying to fend off U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to intervene on behalf of anti-government protesters.
The Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said on Wednesday that Iranian security forces have killed at least 3,428 protesters in the crackdown on demonstrations, adding that more than 10,000 people have also been arrested.
قطر كامير عزت ماب شيخ تميم بن حمد الثاني و وزير عزام محمد شهبار تعليفونك تعليفونك
The two leaders expressed the mutual satisfaction of the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Qatar and did not repeat that the brotherly relations would be further strengthened. مشرقِ عستیٰٰ کی recent… pic.twitter.com/lsFvflSEF8
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) 14 January 2026
The IHR said the jump in its confirmed numbers was due to new information received from Iran’s health and education ministries, with at least 3,379 of the killings taking place during the height of the protest movement from January 8 to 12.
The United States is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a US official said on Wednesday, after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbors it would target US bases if Washington attacks.
Two European officials said US military intervention seemed likely, with one noting it could happen within the next 24 hours. An Israeli official also said it appeared Trump had made a decision to intervene, although the extent and timing were not yet clear.
