Pakistan mourns Kuwait Amir’s demise: Monday declared as day of national mourning

Islamabad: Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has declared tomorrow [Monday] as a day of mourning in Pakistan on the sad demise of Amir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.

The decision is taken to express fraternal solidarity on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, with the royal family, the government, and people of Kuwait.

The national flag shall fly at half-mast throughout the country on the day.

Kuwait's Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, on Saturday passed away at the age of 86 on Saturday, as announced by the royal court.

The exact cause of his death has not been immediately disclosed.

Last month, the emir was admitted to the hospital due to an emergency health issue, though the state news agency reported that he was in stable condition.

Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, who has effectively governed Kuwait since 2021 when the emir delegated most of his duties due to frailty, is the designated successor.

Sheikh Nawaf assumed the position of emir in September 2020 following the passing of his brother, Sheikh Sabah, who had wielded significant influence over the state's foreign policy for more than 50 years.

Diplomats characterized Sheikh Nawaf as a consensus builder, despite his reign being marked by a tense standoff between the government and the elected parliament, hindering crucial structural reforms in the oil-rich Gulf state. Recent months, however, witnessed a return to consensus between the government and parliament.