Pakistani prime minister expresses grief over passing of Kuwaiti ruler

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, left, met with Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabeh,right, in Kuwait on May 19, 2020. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Foreign Office/File)

• The emir, 91, was flown to the United States for medical treatment in July
• Al-Sabah was known as a “peace loving and compassionate ruler,” the country's foreign minister says in a statement

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday expressed his sorrow over the death of Kuwait's ruler, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, and extended condolences to the members of the royal family.

Deeply grieved over demise of HH Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait. انا لله وانا اليه راجعون .We extend our heartfelt condolences to Crown Prince, Al Sabah family & to the Kuwaiti people. Amir’s contributions to Pak-Kuwait relations will always be remembered

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 29, 2020

An official statement read out on state television announced al-Sabah’s death. The emir, 91, had undergone surgery and was then flown to the United States for medical treatment in July, according to Kuwait’s state-run news agency, KUNA.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also grieved the demise of the Kuwaiti ruler.
“Qureshi extends condolences to the royal family, Kuwaiti government and people on the death of the Emir of Kuwait,” the foreign minister said in a statement.
“During his rule, bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kuwait expanded. Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi,” Qureshi said, adding that al-Sabah “who was known as a peace loving and compassionate ruler.”
Al-Sabah had ruled Kuwait, an OPEC oil producer and ally of the United States, since 2006 and had steered its foreign policy for more than 50 years. His death elevates his 82-year-old half brother, Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, to Kuwait’s leadership.