Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday left for Qatar to attend the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha, a gathering co-sponsored by Pakistan to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
The summit comes in the aftermath of Israel’s recent airstrikes on Doha and its ongoing aggression in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and other Palestinian territories.
Leaders and senior officials from OIC member states are expected to participate, with the focus on collective action to defend Palestinian rights and regional stability.
The Prime Minister is accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, already in Doha, attended the preparatory meeting of OIC foreign ministers.
On the sidelines, he also held consultations with his counterparts from Egypt, Iran, Türkiye, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, and the OIC Secretary General.
In his remarks, DPM Ishaq Dar condemned the Israeli strikes as a “reckless and provocative attack” and a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter.
He stressed that targeting Qatar was not only an attack on a sovereign nation but also on diplomacy and mediation itself.
Ishaq Dar called for urgent steps to uphold humanitarian values and global peace, including:
- Holding Israel accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
- Establishing an Arab-Islamic task force to counter expansionist designs.
- Pursuing suspension of Israel’s UN membership to send a strong message of unity and seriousness.
- Considering additional punitive measures to ensure accountability and deter further violations.
- Demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, release of hostages, and protection for civilians, aid workers, and medical teams.
- Reviving a genuine political process towards a just and lasting two-state solution in line with UN and OIC resolutions.
Pakistan reiterated its commitment to work with the OIC and Arab partners to safeguard peace, justice, and the fundamental right of Palestinians to self-determination.
