Pakistan’s Deputy PM Condemns Israeli Strike on Qatar
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called for the formation of an Arab-Islamic task force to counter Israel’s actions, describing the country as a “persistent danger to global peace and security.”
Speaking at a ministerial meeting in Doha ahead of the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit, Dar denounced Israel’s recent airstrike on Qatar, which killed five Hamas members and one Qatari security officer. He called the attack “reckless, appalling, and illegal,” urging immediate collective action from the Muslim world.
Demand for UN Security Council Action
Dar urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) to act under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to enforce:
-
An immediate and permanent ceasefire
-
The release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners
-
Accountability for Israeli war crimes
He also called for suspending Israel’s UN membership and demanded unhindered humanitarian access in Gaza and the West Bank.
“Israel is defying every principle of international law,” Dar said. “The credibility of the global system depends on holding it accountable.”
Doha Summit Highlights Muslim Unity
The Doha summit, attended by more than 50 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), showcased strong Arab-Islamic solidarity.
While a draft resolution condemned the Israeli attack, it did not yet include economic or diplomatic sanctions, though diplomats indicated changes might follow before the leaders’ session.
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit declared, “Qatar is not alone. Arab and Islamic states stand firmly by its side.”
Bilateral Meetings with Muslim Leaders
On the sidelines of the summit, Dar met with:
-
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty
-
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
-
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamad Hasan
-
Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain
All parties jointly condemned Israel’s actions, reaffirming support for Palestine and stressing the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
Pakistan’s Strong Stance Against Israel
Pakistan has been among the loudest critics of Israel’s aggression, with the Foreign Office labeling repeated Israeli strikes a “matter of grave concern” for both the Muslim world and the global community.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid a solidarity visit to Doha, meeting Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to denounce Israel’s actions.
Global Reaction to Israel’s Attack
The strike has disrupted diplomatic balances in the region. Despite hosting the largest US military base in Qatar, Washington unusually joined all 15 UNSC members in condemning the attack — a rare move given the US’s history of shielding Israel at the UN.
US President Donald Trump said he was “very unhappy” with the strike but confirmed continued engagement with Qatar. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that it would not affect Washington’s relationship with Israel.
