PM Shehbaz discusses US-Iran talks progress in call with Qatar’s Emir

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone call with the Qatari emir on Wednesday, during which he said the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the “positive progress” made in the first round of technical talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland and agreed to sustain this momentum. “Had a warm and most cordial telephone conversation with my dear brother, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, emir of the State of Qatar, this afternoon,” PM Shehbaz posted on X. Had a warm and most cordial telephone conversation with my dear brother, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, this afternoon. I thanked His Highness for Qatar’s steadfast support for the peace efforts that culminated in the historic Islamabad… — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 24, 2026 He added that he thanked the Qatari emir for his country’s “steadfast support for the peace efforts that culminated in the historic Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding”, which was signed by the US and Iran on June 18. “We expressed satisfaction at the positive progress made during the first round of technical talks in Bürgenstock and agreed on the importance of sustaining this momentum through continued dialogue and diplomacy,” he wrote. PM Shehbaz also thanked the Qatari emir for his “kind condolences on the tragic loss of a Pakistani national in the recent fire incident in Ras Laffan”, referring to the blast at the liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex. At least 13 people died, and 66 were injured in the incident, which Qatar attributed to a technical malfunction. A dozen of the deceased were Indian nationals. The prime minister appreciated the Qatari leadership for its “generous hospitality towards the vibrant Pakistani community in Qatar”. Affirming that Islamabad values its close brotherly ties with Doha, PM Shehbaz said his country looked forward to welcoming the Qatari emir “later this year”. Rubio Says Lebanon Ceasefire Talks Separate From Iran Deal