PM Shehbaz, Qatari Emir discuss regional developments in phone call

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed recent developments in the Middle East with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region amid Washington’s warnings of potential action in response to Iran’s crackdown on protests.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the two leaders exchanged detailed views on the evolving situation in the Middle East during a telephonic conversation on Wednesday.

PM Shehbaz appreciated Qatar’s constructive and proactive role in promoting peace, dialogue and mediation in the region, and acknowledged Doha’s efforts, conveyed through diplomatic channels, to help reduce regional tensions.

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The prime minister assured the Qatari leadership that Pakistan would continue to play a positive and responsible role in efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The call was aimed at further consolidating the friendly relations between Pakistan and Qatar. Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the current pace of bilateral cooperation and reiterated their shared resolve to deepen these brotherly relations across various fields.

The two leaders also agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days to further enhance cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Qatar.

The conversation came at a critical juncture, with tensions high in the Middle East as Iran's leadership tries to suppress the worst domestic unrest the Islamic Republic has ever faced, while also seeking to deter US President Donald Trump's repeated threats to intervene on behalf of anti-government protesters.

The Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said on Wednesday that Iranian security forces have killed at least 3,428 protesters in the crackdown on demonstrations, adding that more than 10,000 people have also been arrested.