Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif traveled on Monday for a one-day official visit to Qatar to attend the Arab Summit held in Doha.
The extraordinary meeting has been called in the wake of Israeli air strikes on the Qatari capital, which left several dead, including senior Hamas figures and a Qatari security officer.
The attack, condemned over the Muslim world, has increased fear of regional instability and emphasized Israel’s escalating campaign for aggression.
According to the Foreign Office (FO) declaration, the summit will gather leaders and senior officials from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States that will consider the regional crisis and formulate a common strategy.
Leaders are set to consider a common reaction, including demands for accountability for Israeli war crimes, humanitarian access to Gaza and measures to deter further violations.
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The premiere is accompanied by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar and special assistant to the Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is already in Doha, where he has held preparatory meetings and revealed sweeping proposals to counter Israel’s “dangerous trend” of uncontrolled attacks.
Dar outlined an extensive seven-point response to the Israeli air strikes on Qatar. “Muslim states must unite behind concrete measures to keep Israel responsible,” he said, detailed proposals that include the formation of a common Arab-Islamic task force to deter further aggression, pursue the suspension of Israel’s UN membership and implement punishing measures from the Member States.
He also called for “an immediate and permanent ceasefire along with prisoner exchanges” to ensure unbound humanitarian access in Gaza and revive a true political process aimed at a two-state solution.
Pakistan has heavily condemned Israeli aggression against Qatar and other regional states. During a visit to Doha last week, Shehbaz confirmed “unshakable support” to Qatar’s security and sovereignty and emphasized the country’s commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.
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Officials said Shehbaz’s participation, along with other Muslim leaders, reflects an overall decision on the Muslim Ummah to confront Israeli hostilities and stand in solidarity with Palestine.
