ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha on Thursday, stressing the need for dialogue and de-escalation as Islamabad intensifies its efforts to broker a peace deal between the US and Iran.
Sharif began a three-nation visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye on Wednesday, making his first stop in Jeddah to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two discussed regional tensions following the US-Israel’s war on Iran and Islamabad’s efforts for a peace deal, Sharif’s office said.
The Pakistani prime minister then arrived in Doha on Thursday, with his aircraft escorted by Qatar’s fighter jets as it entered the Gulf nation’s airspace. Sharif met Al-Thani during which the two sides exchanged views on the regional tensions, the Pakistani premier wrote on X.
“We discussed the evolving regional situation, particularly in the Gulf region, and underscored the importance of de-escalation, dialogue, and close international coordination to ensure peace and stability,” Sharif said.
Sharif condemned Iran’s attacks targeting Qatar and other regional states and their energy infrastructure, expressing his “full solidarity” with the people of the Gulf state.
He said the two leaders also reviewed bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in security, defense and energy sectors.
‘ONLY MEDIATOR’
Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator between the US and Iran to end the war in the Middle East while also condemning Iran’s attacks against Gulf states.
Sharif’s three-nation tour takes place as Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the country’s all-powerful army chief, is currently on a separate visit to Tehran in continuation of the Islamabad talks.
Pakistan is pushing for a second round of talks between the US and Iran after the first round of direct negotiations between both sides on Apr. 11 in Islamabad failed to result in an agreement.
Washington and Tehran remained divided on key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief and the future of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route that Tehran has blocked since Israel and the US went to war with it in late February.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that Washington was discussing holding a second round of talks between the US and Iran.
She said the negotiations would “very likely” be held in Islamabad again, adding that Pakistan is the “only mediator” between both states.
“While there have been many countries around the world who want to offer their help, the president feels it is important to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis and that is what continues to take place,” Leavitt said.
