Shehbaz Sharif's office said the premier had discussed with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani "the latest regional and international developments, particularly in the Middle East."

The Qatari ruler praised Pakistan's role, and, according to the Pakistani statement, the pair also voiced support for "de-escalation efforts and enhancing international coordination to ensure the security and stability of the region, particularly ensuring the maintenance of a smooth flow of energy supply chains."

The Pakistani premier was later due in Turkey, the last stop in a four-day tour, which comes on the heels of high-level talks between US and Iranian delegations in Islamabad last weekend.

The talks in Pakistan failed to reach an immediate agreement to permanently end the war in the Middle East following the start of a two-week ceasefire on April 8.

Early in the war, which was sparked in late February by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Qatar was forced to suspend liquefied natural gas (LNG) production because of Iranian attacks on key energy infrastructure.

The Gulf state, which shares the massive South Pars gas field with Iran, is one of the leading producers of LNG along with the US, Australia, and Russia. Qatar is a key supplier to Asian nations, including Pakistan.

On Wednesday, the Qatari ruler held a call with US President Donald Trump, in which the pair discussed the impact of the war "on international maritime security and the stability of global energy markets and supply chains", according to a statement by the emir's office.

Trump has indicated that a possible second round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan could resume this week.

Qatar, a key mediator with the US and Egypt in the Gaza war, which ended in October, has in recent years played a role mediating with Iran alongside Oman.

However, Doha has repeatedly dismissed the possibility of mediation with Tehran after it came under attack on February 28.

Follow us on:

Facebook

Instagram

Whatsapp