Pakistan prime minister meets Qatar emir amid US-Iran talks push

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Doha on Thursday on an official visit to Qatar, accompanied by a high-level delegation, according to an official statement.

Sharif was received at Hamad International Airport by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi. A contingent of the Qatari Armed Forces presented a guard of honor.

Pakistani flags were displayed at the airport and in parts of Doha to welcome the visiting prime minister, reflecting what the statement described as strong bilateral ties.

Pakistan's prime minister met Qatar's ruler on Thursday during a push by Islamabad for a second round of peace talks between Washington and Tehran.

Shehbaz Sharif's office said the premier had discussed with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani "the latest regional and international developments, particularly in the Middle East".

The Qatari ruler praised Pakistan's role and, according to the Pakistani statement, the pair also voiced support for "de-escalation efforts and enhancing international coordination to ensure the security and stability of the region, particularly ensuring the maintenance of smooth flow of energy supply chains".

The Pakistani premier was later due in Turkey, the last stop in a four-day tour which comes on the heels of high-level talks between US and Iranian delegations in Islamabad last weekend.

Qatar, a key mediator with the US and Egypt in the Gaza war, which ended in October, has in recent years played a role mediating with Iran alongside Oman.

However, Doha has repeatedly dismissed the possibility of mediation with Tehran after it came under attack on February 28.

Saudi visit and regional diplomacy

Earlier on Thursday, Sharif held talks in Jeddah with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where both sides discussed regional security and bilateral ties.

Sharif praised what he described as Saudi Arabia’s “exemplary patience and restraint” under the crown prince’s leadership during ongoing regional tensions.

He expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and offered condolences over the loss of life, saying Pakistan stood “shoulder to shoulder” with the kingdom.

Sharif also briefed the Saudi leadership on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach aimed at easing tensions, including efforts linked to a potential ceasefire between the United States and Iran and talks hosted in Islamabad.

The Saudi crown prince welcomed Pakistan’s role in promoting dialogue and de-escalation, the statement said.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and coordinating on regional and international issues.

The recent talks in Islamabad were part of efforts to end a conflict that began on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran.

Iran retaliated by targeting U.S. allies in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and blocking energy exports, pushing oil prices higher.

The talks ended without an agreement, but U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations could resume this week in Islamabad.

A day earlier, a Pakistani delegation led by army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran as part of mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.