Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar arrived in Doha on Sunday to lead Pakistan’s delegation to the ministerial meeting ahead of the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit convened in response to Israel’s strikes against Qatar.
Upon arrival, Dar was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and senior officials of the Qatari government.
On the sidelines of the preparatory meeting of foreign ministers, Dar held talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Dr. Badr Abdelatty.
The two sides strongly condemned Israel’s “illegal strikes” on Qatar and other Muslim nations, denouncing them as blatant violations of sovereignty and international law.
Both foreign ministers reaffirmed their countries’ unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and underscored the urgent need for unity across the Muslim Ummah in confronting aggression and upholding the rights of Palestinians.
The Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha comes amid escalating regional tensions triggered by Israel’s widening military campaign, which has drawn international criticism for undermining ceasefire efforts and further destabilising the Middle East.
Co-sponsored by Pakistan, the summit has been called in response to recent Israeli airstrikes on Doha, as well as the rapidly deteriorating situation in Palestine and mounting Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank.
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According to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, leaders and senior officials from member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will gather in Doha to deliberate on the crisis and chart a joint strategy to address the unfolding developments.
The FO further noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Doha earlier 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 and reaffirms its commitment to regional peace, security, and the sovereignty of its partners,” the Foreign Office added.
Islamabad reiterated its firm stance on the Palestine issue and called for an immediate end to hostilities through dialogue.
Israel targeted Hamas leaders last Tuesday in strikes on the Qatari capital, killing five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer. The attack drew widespread international condemnation, including from Gulf monarchies allied with the United States, Israel’s main backer.
