Shehbaz Sharif addresses Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha Urges UN to suspend Israel Says Israel must be held accountable for its war crimes against humanity Lauds Saudi Crown Prince for unifying Muslim Ummah.
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday emphasised the creation of an Arab-Islamic task force to adopt effective measures to ward off Israel’s expansionist designs.
Speaking at the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha on Monday, he said Israel must be held accountable for its war crimes against humanity.
The prime minister reiterated OIC’s call to suspend Israel’s membership from the United Nations. He said the member states should actively consider other appropriate measures against Israel. He urged the UN Security Council to urgently demand that Israel, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, implement an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire, release hostages and exchange Palestinian prisoners.
The prime minister also called for a guaranteed, sustained and secure humanitarian access to all civilians in need, and the protection of aid workers, medical teams, journalists and UN personnel. He further emphasised the urgent need for a just, comprehensive, and lasting two-state solution, including the establishment of an independent State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The prime minister strongly condemned Israel’s reckless and provocative attack on Doha aimed at sabotaging peace efforts in Middle East. He expressed Pakistan’s all-out support and solidarity with Qatar.
The prime minister said Israeli assault on Qatar is not an isolated incident but another manifestation of its declared hegemonic ambitions. He said we deeply appreciate Qatar’s diplomatic efforts as it has consistently endeavored to bridge divides and promote the noble cause of regional and global peace. Shehbaz Sharif said Israel’s genocidal campaign has reduced Gaza to rubble where more than 64000 Palestinians including thousands of children have been martyred. He said injustice has reached an unbearable level which must stop now.
Also, Arab and Muslim leaders call to review diplomatic and economic ties with Israel after its unprecedented attack targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar, according to a draft statement. The summit in Doha adopts a joint statement that it has yet to make public, it calls “upon all states to take all possible legal and effective measures to prevent Israel from continuing its actions against the Palestinian people, including by… reviewing diplomatic and economic relations with it, and initiating legal proceedings against it.” Israel has long maintained ties with Egypt and Jordan, and brokered ties five years ago with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, while it has pushed to expand its relations with Saudi Arabia and recently even Syria.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the sidelines of the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha.
During their extremely warm and cordial meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on the situation emerging after Israel’s aggression on Doha. The Prime Minister strongly condemned Israel’s action and termed it a deliberate attempt to derail the Middle East peace efforts. He conveyed his deep appreciation for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s bold and sagacious leadership in unifying the Ummah at this critical time.
The prime minister assured the Saudi Crown Prince of Pakistan’s all-out diplomatic support, particularly at the UN Security Council, where Pakistan is currently a non-permanent member, as well as at all other diplomatic multilateral fora, including the OIC.
He said the convening of the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha has sent out an important message that Muslims around the world speak with one voice against Israel’s unlawful and reckless aggression that threatened regional peace and security.
Reaffirming the historic and deep-rooted fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister thanked the Crown Prince for the Kingdom’s steadfast support to Pakistan, through thick and thin.
The Crown Prince said he is looking forward to Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming State Visit to Riyadh later this week that will provide an opportunity for a comprehensive exchange of views on bilateral, regional and global issues.
The Prime Minister conveyed his warm respects and regards for The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister’s leadership and for Pakistan’s active diplomatic efforts, including at the UNSC and OIC to express solidarity with Qatar at this critical time.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were also present in the meeting.
