Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif in Doha after Israeli Strikes hit Qatar’s capital Azad News HD
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Shehbaz Sharif’s Qatar Visit: Pakistan’s Gesture of Solidarity Amid Middle East Turmoil
On a tense day in the Middle East, where every airstrike echoes far beyond its intended target, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed in Doha, Qatar, for a daylong visit that underscored the intricate web of solidarity, diplomacy, and geopolitical calculation shaping the region. The visit, aimed at expressing solidarity with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, came in the wake of a deadly series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas leadership in Gaza.
Introduction: A Diplomatic Mission of Support
Although Pakistan has no direct involvement in the military conflict, Sharif’s trip reflected Islamabad’s longstanding commitment to the Palestinian cause, its deep-rooted ties with Qatar, and its aspiration to play a constructive role in a volatile Middle East.
The gesture was not just about showing sympathy for Qatar’s diplomatic stress; it was about sending a broader signal—to the Muslim world, to Israel, and to Pakistan’s domestic audience—that Islamabad remains an unwavering advocate for Palestinian rights.
The Immediate Trigger: Israeli Airstrikes Shake Gaza
The background of Sharif’s Doha trip lies in the fresh Israeli offensive against Hamas leadership, an escalation that once again brought Gaza to the brink of chaos. Reports indicated that multiple senior Hamas figures were killed in the strikes, sparking international condemnation and fears of regional spillover.
For Qatar, which has long hosted Hamas political leaders and acted as a key mediator in Gaza ceasefire agreements, the strikes represented not just an attack on a Palestinian group but also a direct challenge to its role as a mediator and protector.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim, already under immense pressure from Western allies and regional partners, received Sharif’s visit as a much-needed show of diplomatic backing from a fellow Muslim-majority nation.
Pakistan and Qatar: A Partnership Rooted in History
The significance of the visit can only be fully understood by appreciating the broader Pakistan–Qatar relationship. The two countries share decades of close cooperation, particularly in the following areas:
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Labor Migration: Over 200,000 Pakistanis live and work in Qatar, forming one of the largest expatriate communities in the Gulf. Their remittances are vital to Pakistan’s struggling economy.
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Energy Security: Qatar is one of Pakistan’s main suppliers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), a lifeline for the country’s power sector.
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Defense Ties: Pakistan has provided military training and personnel to Qatar’s armed forces, deepening defense cooperation.
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Diplomatic Alignment: On key Muslim world issues, from Palestine to Afghanistan, the two countries often align their stances.
Thus, Sharif’s daylong visit was not only symbolic but also strategic—reinforcing bilateral trust while aligning Pakistan with Qatar’s position on Gaza.
The Symbolism of Solidarity
In diplomacy, gestures matter. Sharif’s decision to fly to Doha at such a critical moment was a calculated signal:
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To Qatar: Pakistan stands firmly with Doha as it faces pressure over its ties with Hamas.
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To Palestinians: Islamabad remains committed to supporting their cause, a cornerstone of its foreign policy since independence.
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To Domestic Audience: With strong pro-Palestinian sentiment in Pakistan, the visit reassured citizens that their leadership was not silent in the face of Israeli aggression.
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To the Wider Muslim World: By expressing solidarity, Pakistan hoped to inspire a more unified stance among Muslim-majority states, many of which remain divided over relations with Israel.
Shehbaz Sharif’s Day in Doha: The Meetings and Messages
During his stay in Doha, Sharif met Emir Sheikh Tamim at the Amiri Diwan, where the two leaders held in-depth discussions on regional security, humanitarian aid for Palestinians, and bilateral cooperation.
According to official readouts:
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Sharif condemned the Israeli airstrikes, calling them a “blatant violation of human rights and international law.”
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He reiterated Pakistan’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the initiation of peace talks.
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The two leaders agreed to coordinate their diplomatic efforts in international forums such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
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Humanitarian relief for Palestinians was also on the agenda, with Sharif pledging Pakistan’s readiness to contribute medical supplies and aid shipments.
The optics of the meeting—warm handshakes, joint statements, and symbolic gestures of unity—were designed to emphasize a shared vision for peace and justice in the Middle East.
Pakistan’s Historical Stance on Palestine
Shehbaz Sharif’s Doha mission cannot be separated from Pakistan’s deep-rooted position on Palestine. Since its independence in 1947, Pakistan has refused to recognize Israel until a just solution for Palestinians is achieved. The principle of “self-determination for Palestinians” has been a consistent pillar of Islamabad’s foreign policy, upheld by successive governments across ideological divides.
From Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s fiery speeches at the UN in the 1970s to contemporary condemnations of Israeli actions, Pakistan has maintained a strong pro-Palestinian line. Public sentiment at home, fueled by religious solidarity and media coverage, ensures that no Pakistani leader can afford to appear indifferent to Palestinian suffering.
Sharif’s visit to Qatar, therefore, was both a continuation of this tradition and a reaffirmation that Pakistan will not shift course even as some Muslim states, like the UAE and Bahrain, normalize relations with Israel.
Qatar’s Role in the Conflict
Qatar occupies a unique position in Middle East diplomacy. While maintaining strong ties with the United States, it has also provided political offices and financial aid to Hamas. Over the years, Qatar has acted as a mediator between Hamas and Israel, brokering ceasefires and channeling humanitarian funds into Gaza.
This balancing act has drawn both praise and criticism. For Palestinians, Qatar is a lifeline. For Israel and some of its allies, Doha’s support for Hamas is controversial.
The Israeli airstrikes on Hamas leaders, therefore, put Qatar in a delicate position—under pressure from multiple sides. Sharif’s visit gave Emir Sheikh Tamim an important show of backing from a major South Asian ally, reinforcing Doha’s legitimacy as a mediator.
Regional Implications: A Divided Muslim World
Sharif’s visit also highlighted a deeper challenge: the fragmentation of the Muslim world on the issue of Palestine. While countries like Qatar, Turkey, and Pakistan continue to vocally oppose Israeli actions, others—most notably the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco—have normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords.
Saudi Arabia, the heavyweight of the Gulf, has walked a careful line—condemning Israeli aggression rhetorically while quietly exploring normalization options.
In this fractured landscape, Pakistan’s solidarity gesture served as a reminder that significant parts of the Muslim world remain firmly aligned with the Palestinian cause.
Domestic Resonance in Pakistan
At home, Sharif’s visit resonated strongly. In Pakistan, where public opinion overwhelmingly supports Palestinians, political leaders across party lines welcomed the gesture. Religious groups praised the prime minister for “standing with Gaza,” while opposition parties used the occasion to demand even stronger actions, such as calling emergency OIC summits.
For Sharif, whose government faces economic turmoil and political challenges, the visit also had domestic political value—projecting him as a statesman standing tall on the international stage.
Global Reactions and the Silence of the West
While Pakistan and Qatar emphasized solidarity, the broader Western reaction remained muted. The United States defended Israel’s “right to self-defense,” while European capitals called for “restraint on both sides.”
For Pakistan, this silence reinforced its longstanding perception that the West applies double standards—condemning human rights abuses in some regions while ignoring Palestinian suffering. Sharif’s visit, in this sense, was also an act of defiance against Western narratives.
Toward a Broader Role: Can Pakistan Mediate?
Some analysts argue that Pakistan, with its unique position in the Muslim world and its historical non-recognition of Israel, could aspire to play a mediating role in the conflict. Its strong ties with both Qatar and Turkey, as well as its credibility with Palestinians, make it a potential bridge-builder.
However, Pakistan’s limited economic and diplomatic resources, coupled with its dependence on Gulf allies, constrain how far it can go beyond symbolic gestures.
Conclusion: Symbolism in a Time of Fire
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s daylong trip to Doha was more than a diplomatic courtesy call. It was a deliberate political statement: that Pakistan stands with Qatar, with Palestine, and with the principles of justice in the Middle East.
While the visit did not alter the trajectory of the conflict, it reaffirmed Pakistan’s place in the moral geography of the Muslim world. In times of fire and uncertainty, symbolism matters—and for Sharif, the symbolism of standing shoulder to shoulder with Sheikh Tamim in Doha may prove to be one of the most resonant acts of his premiership.
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