Pakistan PM Heads to Qatar for High-Stakes Talks on Regional Security Crisis
By Tahir Shah :
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet Qatar’s Emir on Tuesday for discussions focused on escalating regional crises, with diplomatic mediation between Islamabad and Kabul expected to top the agenda.
The Pakistani leader arrived in Doha on Monday for a two-day official visit, his third trip to the Gulf nation within five months. The frequency of these visits signals the deepening strategic relationship between the two countries amid growing instability across South Asia and the Middle East.
Multiple Regional Flashpoints
Officials familiar with the discussions say the prime minister will brief Qatari leaders on recent developments along Pakistan’s western border. The talks follow Pakistani military actions inside Afghanistan targeting militant positions, which came in response to a series of deadly suicide attacks claimed by groups operating from Afghan territory.
Islamabad has long maintained that armed groups have established sanctuaries inside Afghanistan, using them to plan and launch cross-border operations. The latest escalation has further strained relations between the two neighbours.
Sources indicate Pakistan hopes to engage Qatar’s established diplomatic networks to facilitate communication channels. Doha has previously played a mediating role between Islamabad and Kabul, helping to secure temporary ceasefires during periods of intense conflict, though lasting agreements have proven difficult to achieve.
Gaza and Iran Concerns
The discussions will also address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and international efforts to establish a lasting ceasefire. Both Pakistan and Qatar participate in a multilateral platform coordinating diplomatic initiatives among Muslim-majority nations regarding the conflict.
Rising hostilities between Iran and the United States present another layer of concern. Officials from both countries view any military confrontation as potentially destabilising for the entire Gulf region, home to millions of Pakistani workers whose remittances form a crucial part of the national economy.
Beyond Security Issues
While security concerns dominate the immediate agenda, the visit also aims to strengthen economic cooperation. Energy partnerships, infrastructure investment, and expanded trade ties are expected to feature in discussions between the two delegations.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with other senior officials, is accompanying the prime minister. Pakistan’s Foreign Office describes the visit as reflecting the historic bonds between the two nations and their mutual interest in regional stability.
The Emir of Qatar has previously accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan, though no date has been announced for that trip.
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