Pakistan Condemns Attack on Qatar
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Doha during his address at the emergency Arab-Islamic summit. He described the assault as a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and a calculated attempt to derail peace efforts in the Middle East. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Qatari people, stating that targeting Qatar was not only an attack on a nation but also an attack on mediation and diplomacy itself.
Call for an Arab-Islamic Task Force
Sharif proposed the formation of a joint Arab-Islamic task force to counter what he called Israel’s “expansionist designs.” He argued that Israel’s actions, including the bombardment of Gaza and expansion of settlements in the West Bank, were part of a wider hegemonic agenda that threatened regional stability.
Accountability and Urgent Measures
The prime minister outlined a list of immediate steps for the international community and Muslim nations. These included:
- Holding Israel accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
- Suspending Israel’s UN membership.
- Invoking Chapter 7 of the UN Charter to enforce an immediate ceasefire.
- Releasing hostages and exchanging Palestinian prisoners.
- Guaranteeing humanitarian access to civilians in need.
He also stressed that a just two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of Palestine, remained the only path to lasting peace.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Engagement
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reinforced Pakistan’s stance in preparatory meetings with counterparts from Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan, as well as the OIC Secretary General. Dar emphasized that Israel’s assault on Qatar violated international law and posed a grave threat to world peace.
Pakistan’s delegation at the summit included Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, signaling high-level engagement in mobilizing international support.
Regional Unity Against Israeli Actions
The Doha summit, co-sponsored by Pakistan, brought together leaders and senior representatives of OIC member states. The gathering comes amid escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank, where Israel’s military actions and settlement expansions continue to displace Palestinians.
Shehbaz Sharif’s appeal for unity and decisive action highlighted growing frustration among Muslim nations, who see coordinated measures as essential to resisting Israeli aggression and protecting Palestinian rights.
