DOHA:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday strongly condemned Israel’s “reckless and provocative” attack on Doha, calling it a flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and international law, and urged immediate global action to hold Israel accountable for war crimes.
Speaking at the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit hosted by Qatar, the prime minister described the September 9 strike as a “treacherous act” against a brotherly Islamic state and a deliberate attempt to undermine peace efforts.
He called for an urgent and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the creation of an Arab-Islamic task force to counter Israeli expansionist designs. “This was a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar,” he said.
Israel’s assault was “yet another manifestation of its declared, hegemonic ambitions,” he added. Even in wartime, he noted, mediators are considered inviolable: “They are the messengers of fragile hope – hope of keeping dialogue alive.”
The prime minister said Israel’s genocidal campaign had reduced Gaza to “rubble and ruin” and left indelible scars on humanity. He invoked the plight of Palestinian children, including a 10-year-old boy named Ameer, who, he said, was gunned down by Israeli soldiers while seeking food, along with “64,000 of his fellow countrymen.”
Shehbaz stressed that Israel must be held accountable for war crimes and reiterated Pakistan’s support for suspending Israel’s UN membership. He urged the UN Security Council, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, to demand an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, along with guaranteed humanitarian access and protection for aid workers, journalists, and UN staff.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding stance, he said the only just and lasting solution lay in the creation of an independent State of Palestine on pre-1967 borders with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital. “Let history record this moment, when we, the leaders of the Arab-Islamic world, have chosen unity, dignity, and courage over silence and inaction,” he concluded.
On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz also held separate meetings with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir accompanying him.
In his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Shehbaz condemned Israel’s action as a deliberate attempt to derail Middle East peace efforts. He conveyed appreciation for the Crown Prince’s leadership in unifying the Muslim world.
Prime Minister Shehbaz assured Pakistan’s full diplomatic support at the UN Security Council, the OIC, and other multilateral forums. Both sides reaffirmed their “historic, deep-rooted fraternal bonds.”
On the occasion, the crown prince said he looked forward to the prime minister’s upcoming state visit to Riyadh later this week for a comprehensive exchange of views on bilateral, regional, and global issues.
In his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Shehbaz conveyed Pakistan’s strongest condemnation of Israeli aggression, terming it reckless and a blatant violation of international law.
Both leaders expressed solidarity with Qatar and agreed that Israel must be held accountable. The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and health.
Later, in talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan, Shehbaz again condemned Israel’s attack on Doha as a grave violation of law and an attempt to derail peace. Praising the Jordanian monarch’s steadfast leadership on the Palestinian cause, he agreed to close consultations to mobilise international support for peace and stability in the region.
The prime minister emphasised that the Doha summit sent out a strong and unified message to the world: that Muslims stood together against Israel’s “unlawful and reckless aggression” and would continue to press for justice for Palestine.
