ISTANBUL: Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will visit Turkiye on Thursday for high-level meetings, Turkiye’s trade minister said on Wednesday, after Doha said at the weekend it stalled its Gaza mediation efforts for now.

Some analysts believe Turkiye, despite strained ties with Israel, could play some role in mediation since it does not deem Hamas a terrorist group, and some of its political officials regularly visit Turkiye.

At the weekend, Qatar said it had told Hamas and Israel it will stall efforts to mediate a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner release deal until they show willingness and seriousness.

“The Qatar Emir will be in Ankara tomorrow (Thursday) anyway. Important talks, a meeting of the high-level strategic council will be held,” Trade Minister Omer Bolat told broadcaster tv100 in comments focused on bilateral trade.

Bolat did not mention Qatar’s decision nor Hamas in his comments. “We are waiting for a comprehensive trade agreement with Qatar to come into effect...anytime,” he added.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Short-changed?
Updated 24 Nov, 2024

Short-changed?

As nations continue to argue, the international community must recognise that climate finance is not merely about numbers.
Overblown ‘threat’
24 Nov, 2024

Overblown ‘threat’

ON the eve of the PTI’s ‘do or die’ protest in the federal capital, there seemed to be little evidence of the...
Exclusive politics
24 Nov, 2024

Exclusive politics

THERE has been a gradual erasure of the voices of most marginalised groups from Pakistan’s mainstream political...
Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

To drag a critical ally like Saudi Arabia into unfounded conspiracies is detrimental to Pakistan’s foreign policy.