ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Sunday tabled a sweeping set of proposals at the preparatory ministerial meeting of the emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha, calling for Israel’s accountability, suspension of its UN membership and the formation of an Arab-Islamic task force to counter what it described as Tel Aviv’s “rogue mindset.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar outlined a seven-point response to the Israeli air strikes on Qatar, urging Muslim states to unite behind concrete measures.
The proposals included: holding Israel accountable for war crimes; creation of a joint Arab-Islamic task force to deter further aggression; pursuing suspension of Israel’s UN membership; implementing punitive measures by member states; demanding through the UN Security Council an immediate and permanent ceasefire along with prisoner exchanges; ensuring unfettered humanitarian access in Gaza; and reviving a genuine political process for a two-state solution.
“Israel must be held accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity. It should not be allowed to get away with attacking Islamic countries and killing people with impunity,” Dar said in his address, condemning the “illegal and unprovoked” strike on Qatar as a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter.
The foreign minister said that targeting Qatar was not only an assault on a sovereign state but also an attack on diplomacy and mediation itself, given Doha’s central role in facilitating ceasefire efforts along with Egypt and the United States.
He underscored that Pakistan, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC), had already helped convene an emergency UNSC session on the matter and would continue working with the OIC and Arab partners to push for enforcement measures, including the deployment of an international protection force for Gaza.
Dar warned that Israel’s repeated strikes across the region reflected a “dangerous trend” that threatened international peace and security. “No state is safe from such an unhinged entity that defies all precepts of civilised behaviour,” he remarked.
Reaffirming Islamabad’s solidarity with Doha, Dar said Pakistan supported Qatar’s inalienable right to defend its sovereignty and the safety of its people. He added that the Arab-Islamic world must rise with “unity, resolve and purpose” to protect the global order from Israel’s expanding aggression.
The emergency Arab-Islamic Summit is scheduled to take place in Doha on Monday, co-convened by Qatar, Pakistan, and other Islamic countries. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the extraordinary summit in Doha. The summit will discuss the Israeli strikes on Qatar and joint plan of action.
Many Islamic countries are seeking tangible steps against Israel after the Jewish launched airstrikes against Hamas leaders in Qatar on Tuesday, last week. Hamas said five of its members, and a local security official were killed, including the son of top Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Doha on September 11, where he met the Qatari leadership and expressed Pakistan’s solidarity and support. “Pakistan strongly condemns Israeli aggression against Qatar and other states in the region,” the Foreign Office said at that time.
“Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to regional peace, security, and the sovereignty of its partners,” the Foreign Office added. The statement reiterated Pakistan’s firm stance on the Palestine issue and called for an immediate end to hostilities through dialogue.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Dar held talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Dr Badr Abdelatty on Sunday. The two foreign ministers condemned illegal Israeli strikes on Qatar and other Muslim nations, terming them blatant violations of sovereignty and international law.
Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release that Foreign Minister Dar and Foreign Minister Abdelatty reaffirmed their unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and stressed the urgent need for unity across the Muslim Ummah.
Also, Dar met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamad Hasan on the sidelines of the preparatory meeting in Doha. “They strongly condemned Israeli strikes on Qatar and other Muslim nations as gross violations of sovereignty and international law,” the Foreign Office said.
“They reaffirmed unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and emphasised the vital importance of unity across the Muslim Ummah. They welcomed the Arab Islamic Summit as timely and essential for collective action at this critical juncture.”
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)
