PM Shehbaz reaches Qatar for Arab-Islamic summit on Israeli strikes

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Qatar on Monday to participate in the Arab-Islamic emergency summit convened in response to Israel’s recent airstrikes in Doha, which targeted Hamas leaders.

He was received at the airport by Qatar’s Minister of Culture, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. The summit, co-sponsored by Pakistan, is being attended by heads of state, governments, and senior officials from Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries.

The conference follows Israel’s intensified military actions in Palestine, including strikes on Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Pakistan’s delegation includes Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was already in Doha, where he attended the preparatory meeting of foreign ministers.

At the ministerial meeting on Sunday, Dar condemned Israel’s actions, terming them violations of international law and the UN Charter. He called for Israel to be held accountable for “war crimes and crimes against humanity” and urged the creation of an Arab-Islamic task force to counter Israeli aggression.

Dar also recommended suspending Israel’s UN membership, adopting punitive measures against Tel Aviv, and demanding an immediate ceasefire under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. He stressed the need for sustained humanitarian access to Palestinian civilians and revival of a political process aimed at a two-state solution.

Prime Minister Shehbaz’s visit marks his second trip to Qatar this month. On September 11, he visited Doha to express solidarity with Qatari leadership and reiterated Pakistan’s support for regional peace and stability.