ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar offered his condolences on Sunday as former Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died at the age of 74, crediting him for playing a pivotal role in the Gulf nation’s development and strengthening its ties with Islamabad.
The former Qatari emir died at the age of 74, Qatar’ top government body said on Sunday. Sheikh Hamad, who stepped down in June 2013 after 18 years as emir, was the architect of Qatar’s ambitions that turned it into an international crossroads in less than a generation.
Sheikh Hamad was responsible for overseeing the rapid transformation of Qatar into a modern state open to the world. He pushed Qatar Airways to expand into a major international carrier, trying to rival neighboring carrier Emirates. The country’s international airport in Doha,
Qatar’s capital, which cost at least $15 billion to construct, also bears his name.
“Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, former Emir of the State of Qatar,” Dar wrote on social media platform X.
“During his reign, he played a pivotal role in Qatar’s modern development and in strengthening the bonds of friendship with Pakistan. His visionary leadership and contributions to regional peace will be long remembered.”
He conveyed his condolences to the Al Thani family, the emir, the government and people of Qatar on Sheikh Hamad’s passing.
Sheikh Hamad was also credited with establishing Qatar as a regional peace broker. Over the years, its mediation was brought to bear on the conflict in Sudan’s western Darfur region, Lebanese factional feuding and the rift between the Palestinians’ Hamas and Fatah factions.
In recent times, Qatar has played an important role in facilitating peace via diplomatic efforts during Pakistan’s conflict with Afghanistan, the US-Iran war and Israel’s war on Gaza.
