Pakistan offers to co-sponsor Arab-Islamic summit over Israeli strike on Qatar

Pakistan has offered to co-sponsor an Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit scheduled for September 15 in response to Israel's unprecedented strike on Doha, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Thursday during a solidarity visit following Israel's first-ever military action on Qatari soil.

"The leadership and people of Pakistan were deeply disturbed by this attack against the brotherly State of Qatar," Sharif said, according to a statement from his office. He conveyed "deep sympathies on the loss of precious lives in this dastardly and heinous attack" and prayers for the injured.

'Blatant and flagrant violation'

PM Sharif condemned Israel's unprecedented strike on Doha as a "blatant and flagrant violation" of Qatar's sovereignty during a solidarity visit Thursday, as the world's second-largest Muslim nation joined a growing diplomatic response to Israel's first-ever military action on Qatari soil.

PM Shehbaz meets Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani Thursday to express solidarity with Qatar after Israel's September 9 airstrikes on Doha. Prime Minister's Office

The Pakistani leader emphasized that "Israel's brazen aggression in the Middle East must be stopped" and called for unity among Muslim nations, stating "the Ummah needed unity among its ranks in the face of Israeli provocations."

Qatar's 'mediatory role' praised

Sharif praised Qatar's "responsible, constructive and mediatory role" in Gaza peace efforts, arguing that the Israeli strike was "clearly meant to undermine regional stability and threaten ongoing diplomatic and humanitarian efforts."

Pakistan, home to the world's second-largest Muslim population, does not recognize Israel diplomatically and has consistently supported Palestinian statehood.