Pakistan condemns Israeli strike on Qatar, calls for united Arab-Islamic response

Pakistan condemned Israel’s strike on Qatar on Sunday, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to regional peace.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar delivered the remarks at a preparatory ministerial meeting of the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

“We are gathering again this morning to discuss yet another illegal Israeli assault on a brotherly sovereign state,” he said. “The mere frequency of our gatherings is enough to underline how Israel has become a persistent irritant and a danger to world peace and security.”

He described the attack as “reckless and provocative,” calling it a flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity under the UN Charter. “This act of aggression by Israel is unjustified, and constitutes a most dangerous provocation that could imperil regional peace and stability,” he said.

The minister noted that Qatar has been part of mediation efforts with the United States and Egypt to secure a ceasefire in the Palestinian territories. Dar said striking a mediator exposed Israel’s “rogue mindset that disregards every tenet of global law and norms.”

“Targeting Qatar is thus not only an attack on a sovereign state, but also an attack on diplomacy and mediation itself,” he said.

Pakistan expressed “complete solidarity with the government and people of Qatar” and voiced support for their right to defend their sovereignty. The minister praised Doha’s “tireless and principled engagement with all parties, often under the most challenging circumstances, to keep the channels of dialogue open and advance prospects of peace.”

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Pakistan said it had helped convene an emergency council meeting on the attack and called on the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to hold Israel accountable.

“We are also honored to co-sponsor and co-convene the Arab-Islamic Summit tomorrow along with Qatar and other brotherly Islamic states to chart a response against Israel’s aggravating belligerence,” he said.

Ishaq Dar laid out a series of steps, including accountability for war crimes, creation of an Arab-Islamic task force, suspension of Israel’s UN membership, punitive measures by member states, and a Chapter VII resolution by the Security Council demanding a permanent ceasefire and release of hostages. He also called for sustained humanitarian access to Gaza and revival of a two-state solution.

“The question of Israeli accountability is a test for the credibility of the global system,” he said. “The Arab-Islamic world must rise to this challenge with unity, resolve, and purpose.”

Pakistan vowed to continue working with the OIC, Arab states and international partners to push for accountability and peace.