Pakistan has declared a national day of mourning on Monday, July 13, 2026, following the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir and Father Amir of Qatar, in a gesture of solidarity with the Qatari leadership and people.
According to an official notification issued by the Government of Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the national mourning to express the government’s and the nation’s condolences to Qatar’s royal family, government, and citizens. As part of the observance, the national flag will fly at half-mast across Pakistan throughout the day.
Qatar confirmed on Sunday that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani had passed away. In a statement issued by the Emir’s Office, the country mourned the loss of the former ruler, describing him as a towering national figure whose leadership transformed Qatar into a modern and influential global state.
Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, after taking power in a bloodless palace coup. During his nearly two decades in office, he oversaw one of the most remarkable economic transformations in the Gulf, driven largely by the country’s vast natural gas reserves. Under his leadership, Qatar emerged as a major diplomatic, economic, and media power in the Middle East.
One of his most enduring legacies was the establishment of Al Jazeera in 1996, a media network that reshaped journalism across the Arab world. His administration also invested heavily in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and international diplomacy, helping position Qatar as a global hub for business, sports, and mediation efforts.
In June 2013, Sheikh Hamad made history by voluntarily stepping down in favor of his son, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, marking one of the rare peaceful transfers of power in the modern Arab world.
On behalf of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar expressed deep sorrow over Sheikh Hamad’s passing. In a message posted on X, Dar said the late leader played a pivotal role in Qatar’s modernization and significantly strengthened the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Qatar.
He added that Sheikh Hamad’s visionary leadership and contributions to regional peace and stability would be remembered for generations.
Pakistan and Qatar share close diplomatic, economic, and strategic ties. Qatar hosts hundreds of thousands of Pakistani expatriates, while cooperation between the two countries spans energy, investment, labor, defense, and regional diplomacy.