Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday urged unity in the Muslim world to confront Israeli provocations after recent airstrikes[1] by the country targeting residential areas in Doha.
On Tuesday, Israel launched an airstrike against Hamas leaders[2] in Doha, expanding military actions that have ranged across the Middle East to include the Gulf Arab state where the Palestinian group has long had its political base.
According to Hamas sources, the group’s representatives were targeted while they were discussing[3] United States President Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. Qatar had condemned the attack as “cowardly” and called it a flagrant violation of international law.
PM Shehbaz arrived at the palace of Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, during a one-day visit to the country to express solidarity and regional unity after the attacks.
“The prime minister emphasised that Israel’s ongoing aggression in the Middle East must be stopped and the Muslim world needs unity in its ranks to confront Israeli provocations,” said a statement by state broadcaster PTV on X about the meeting with Qatar’s emir.
The statement said the prime minister strongly condemned the Israeli attack as a “blatant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He stated that the leadership and people of Pakistan were deeply concerned about the attack, which was contrary to international laws.
“Reaffirming the historical and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Qatar, the prime minister said that both countries stand with each other. In this spirit of brotherhood, Pakistan has stood shoulder to shoulder with his highness the emir of Qatar, the royal family and the brotherly people of Qatar during this difficult time.
“He assured the Qatari leadership of Pakistan’s complete solidarity and support against this unjustified provocation. He expressed deep sympathy for the loss of precious lives in Israel’s brutal and heinous attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the statement said.
PM Shehbaz also appreciated Qatar’s “responsible and constructive mediation role” in efforts to establish peace in Gaza, stressing that Israeli actions, such as the Doha strikes, “clearly aim to undermine regional stability and jeopardise ongoing diplomatic and humanitarian efforts”.
The prime minister stated that Pakistan had called for an emergency meeting[4] of the United Nations Security Council to discuss recent developments in the Middle East at Qatar’s request. He also welcomed Qatar’s decision to host an Arab-Islamic Summit on September 15, saying that Pakistan had expressed its willingness to co-sponsor and co-organise the summit with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
“The prime minister also thanked his highness the emir for Qatar’s strong support for Pakistan during India’s unjustified aggression against Pakistan earlier this year. The emir of Qatar thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for visiting Doha to express solidarity.
“Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination in promoting regional peace, upholding international law and supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. During the visit, both leaders reaffirmed the deep brotherly relations between Pakistan and Qatar and their shared commitment to peace and stability in the region,” the statement concluded.
PM Shehbaz arrived in Doha earlier today, where he was received by Qatar’s Deputy PM and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, state-run Radio Pakistan reported[5].
“PM Shehbaz, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and a high-level delegation, will meet Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to convey Islamabad’s sympathies and support for the Gulf state today,” a statement by the Foreign Office (FO) said earlier today.
“The visit underscores Pakistan’s unwavering support for the security and sovereignty of Qatar and its commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East,” the statement said.
According to state-run Associated Press of Pakistan[6], PM Shehbaz and the Qatari emir’s meeting “will also include consultations on Israel’s unwarranted attacks on various countries in the region, its ongoing aggression, and efforts to establish peace in the region”.
Doha and Egypt have also been instrumental[7] in US-backed attempts to hammer out a ceasefire[8] in Gaza, and have been working tirelessly to help secure a deal that would see prisoners being freed on both sides.
Qatar and Pakistan share strong diplomatic ties, rooted in their shared faith and values.
Earlier this month, the two countries reaffirmed[9] their commitment to regional peace and stability during a meeting between Pakistan’s top military official, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and the Qatari military leadership on his visit to Qatar.
References
- ^ airstrikes (www.dawn.com)
- ^ Hamas leaders (www.dawn.com)
- ^ discussing (www.dawn.com)
- ^ emergency meeting (www.dawn.com)
- ^ reported (www.radio.gov.pk)
- ^ Associated Press of Pakistan (www.app.com.pk)
- ^ instrumental (www.dawn.com)
- ^ ceasefire (www.dawn.com)
- ^ reaffirmed (www.dawn.com)