Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday arrived in the Qatari capital Doha for a day-long visit to offer condolences to Qatar’s leadership over the death of the former emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The prime minister is accompanied by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.

Upon his arrival at Doha Airport, Prime Minister Shehbaz, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and the Pakistani delegation were received by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani.

According to the schedule, Prime Minister Shehbaz will visit Lusail Palace, where he is due to meet Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

During the meeting, he will convey his heartfelt condolences to the government, the Qatari royal family, and the people of Qatar on the demise of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz, in a statement, expressed grief over the demise of the former Qatari emir, remembering him as “a great leader and statesman whose wisdom, foresight and dedication to public service transformed Qatar into a modern, prosperous and globally respected nation.”

To express solidarity on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan with the royal family, Government, and people of Qatar on this sad demise, the prime minister declared July 13 as a day of national mourning in Pakistan, with the national flag flying at half-mast throughout the country.