Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, received a telephone call today from Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, while the Pakistani leader was in Saudi Arabia.
The call came amid ongoing clashes along the Afghan border, where Pakistani forces recently launched retaliatory operation against Taliban positions in Kunar, Nangarhar, and other sectors. Some analysts suggest Qatar’s outreach signals support for the Taliban at a critical moment, as Islamabad strengthens its border security.
During the conversation, Dr. Al-Khulaifi appreciated the recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Doha and expressed Qatar’s keenness to take bilateral relations with Pakistan to new heights, which Ishaq Dar warmly reciprocated.
The two officials exchanged views on regional and international matters of mutual interest. Ishaq Dar also thanked Qatar for the warm reception and hospitality extended to Prime Minister Sharif during his Doha visit on February 23–24.
Observers note that while Qatar emphasizes brotherly ties and cooperation, the timing of the call coincides with Pakistan’s border operations, raising questions about Qatar’s role in supporting Taliban elements amid escalating violence.
The discussion reaffirmed commitments to strategic, economic, and diplomatic collaboration, while regional security dynamics remain sensitive.
