PM Shehbaz arrives in Doha to attend Arab-Islamic summit

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday arrived in Doha, for a one-day official visit to Qatar to attend the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit.

At Doha Airport, the Prime Minister and the Pakistani delegation were welcomed by His Excellency Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Culture.

The extraordinary meeting has been convened in the wake of Israeli airstrikes on the Qatari capital, which left several dead, including senior Hamas figures and a Qatari security official.

The attack, condemned across the Muslim world, has heightened fears of regional instability and underscored Israel’s escalating campaign of aggression.

According to the Foreign Office (FO) statement, the summit will bring together leaders and senior officials from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states who will deliberate on the regional crisis and formulate a joint strategy.

Leaders are set to deliberate on a joint response, including demands for accountability of Israeli war crimes, humanitarian access to Gaza and measures to deter further violations.

Read: Watershed moment for Gulf region

The premier is accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is already in Doha, where he has held preparatory meetings and unveiled sweeping proposals to counter Israel’s “dangerous trend” of unchecked attacks.

Dar outlined a comprehensive seven-point response to the Israeli airstrikes on Qatar. “Muslim states must unite behind concrete measures to hold Israel accountable,” he said, detailing proposals that include the formation of a joint Arab-Islamic task force to deter further aggression, pursuing the suspension of Israel’s UN membership, and implementing punitive measures by member states.

He also called for “an immediate and permanent ceasefire along with prisoner exchanges,” ensuring unfettered humanitarian access in Gaza, and reviving a genuine political process aimed at a two-state solution.

Pakistan has strongly condemned Israeli aggression against Qatar and other regional states. During a visit to Doha last week, Shehbaz reaffirmed “unwavering support” for Qatar’s security and sovereignty and stressed the country’s commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.

Read More: Pakistan proposes UN suspension for Israel

Officials said Shehbaz’s participation alongside other Muslim leaders reflects a unified resolve of the Muslim Ummah to confront Israeli hostilities and stand in solidarity with Palestine.