Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday strongly condemned the Israel attack on Doha, calling it a reckless act designed to sabotage peace efforts in the Middle East.

Addressing an emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Qatar, he urged Muslim nations to form a joint Arab-Islamic task force to counter Israel’s expansionist ambitions.

The premier described the assault on Qatar as a “flagrant violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity,” stressing that Pakistan stood firmly with its “Qatari brothers and sisters.” He questioned Israel’s commitment to peace negotiations, saying, “Even in wartime, the role of peace mediators is inviolable and sacrosanct — they are the messengers of fragile hope.”

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Shehbaz lauded Qatar’s Emir for his tireless diplomatic efforts to promote peace, while warning that Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza had turned the strip into “rubble and ruin.” He demanded immediate accountability for Israel’s war crimes and called for its suspension from UN membership.

Urgent steps outlined

Outlining Pakistan’s position, Shehbaz urged the UN Security Council to invoke Chapter VII of the UN Charter to enforce:

• An immediate and unconditional ceasefire

• The release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners

• Guaranteed humanitarian access for civilians

He also reaffirmed that a lasting peace depends on a two-state solution, with Palestine established on pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds as its capital.

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Arab-Islamic unity 

The Israel attack on Doha dominated discussions at the summit, co-sponsored by Pakistan, and attended by heads of state, foreign ministers, and OIC officials. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi accompanied the prime minister, while Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar participated in preparatory meetings.

Dar echoed Shehbaz’s stance, warning that Israel’s actions violated Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against sovereign states. He urged Arab and Islamic nations to adopt synchronized defensive and punitive measures against Israeli aggression, including pursuing its suspension from the UN.

On the sidelines of the summit, Dar held meetings with foreign ministers from Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan, as well as with OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha. Pakistan assured its partners that it would continue working at the UN Security Council and through the OIC to hold Israel accountable and advance the Palestinian cause.