Iran and Afghanistan under discussion in PM Shehbaz's meeting with Qatari DPM

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed regional developments, particularly the situations regarding Iran and Afghanistan, with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani on Tuesday.

Both leaders underscored the importance of dialogue, de-escalation and collective efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

According to a joint statement issued after the Doha meeting, both leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in defence and security and reaffirmed the strong and historic ties between Pakistan and Qatar.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction with the ongoing collaboration between the armed forces of both countries and emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening and expanding the defense partnership.

Sheikh Saud praised the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and expressed Qatar’s interest in deepening defence cooperation. The discussions also covered regional developments, particularly regarding Iran and Afghanistan. Both sides underscored the importance of dialogue, de-escalation and collective efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

The two countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to elevating strategic partnership across all areas of mutual interest.

The relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are at their lowest ebb as Islamabad holds Kabul responsible for failing to prevent cross-border attacks. Pakistan carried out intelligence-based strikes on seven terrorist camps along the Afghan border early on Sunday morning following a series of recent suicide bombings, including an attack on an imambargah in Islamabad and incidents in Bajaur and Bannu.

Security sources said Pakistan conducted a large intelligence-based aerial operation in eastern Afghanistan targeting seven key hideouts, killing several terrorists, including Taliban commander Akhtar Muhammad.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Monday informed the Senate that more than 100 terrorists were killed in the retributive air strikes.

Meanwhile, the United States has built up forces in the Middle East to pile pressure on Iran to make a deal at negotiations due to restart on Thursday, with Trump weighing a limited strike if no agreement is reached.

Iranians' fears of a new conflict have grown and the concerns have also prompted several foreign countries to urge their citizens to leave Iran.

Reviews bilateral economic cooperation

Earlier, Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed called on PM Shehbaz.

Dr Al-Sayed also serves as chairman of the Pak-Qatar Joint Business Taskforce.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral trade and economic cooperation and expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in Pakistan-Qatar relations. The prime minister emphasised the importance of enhancing bilateral trade volumes and diversifying Pakistan's exports to Qatar, particularly in agricultural products, food items and value-added goods.

Both sides also discussed follow-up to the 6th Session of the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Ministerial Commission and reaffirmed their commitment to implementing its agreed decisions. The prime minister further highlighted Pakistan's investment-friendly reforms and the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council in facilitating foreign investment.

The meeting underscored the shared resolve to further deepen trade, investment and industrial collaboration between Pakistan and Qatar.

Read: PM arrives in Doha amid regional tensions

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present at the meeting.

PM Shehbaz arrived in Doha on Monday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. This marks the third visit of the prime minister to Qatar in the last five months, underlining the growing strategic importance of ties between Islamabad and Doha.

He had travelled to Doha twice in September, first to express solidarity with Qatar following Israeli strikes, and later to attend the Arab-Islamic summit hosted in the Qatari capital.