ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while meeting the Emir of Qatar in Doha, expressed solidarity and said that the unity of the Muslim Ummah is the need of the hour. Pakistan stands with Qatar.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were also present on the occasion.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the loss of precious lives and injuries to several people as a result of the Israeli attack in Doha on September 9.

The Prime Minister reiterated full solidarity and support with Qatar and said that the Israeli attack on September 9 was a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a serious violation of international law.

Referring to his visit to Qatar last week, he said that the brotherly relations between the two countries are historic, long-standing and enduring and these relations will be further strengthened in the future.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to immediately stop the Israeli aggression in the Middle East and said that unity in the Muslim Ummah is the need of the hour. In this regard, he appreciated Qatar’s decision to convene an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha.

Shahbaz Sharif added that at Qatar’s request, Pakistan tried to convene an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council so that the deteriorating situation in the Middle East could be discussed at the global level.

The Emir of Qatar thanked the Prime Minister for attending the meeting in Doha and for his visit on September 12 to express solidarity. The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact in view of the changing situation in the region.