Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has departed for Qatar to attend an emergency Arab-Islamic summit. The meeting was called after Israeli airstrikes on Doha and escalating tensions over Palestine.
The summit is hosted in Doha under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and gathers heads of state, government officials, and senior representatives from across the Muslim world.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, the summit addresses Israel’s strikes on Qatar, occupation of Gaza, expansion of settlements in the West Bank, and forced displacement of Palestinians.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended a preparatory OIC meeting on Sunday to finalize a draft resolution condemning Israel’s actions. PM Sharif will join discussions to strengthen Pakistan’s position at the summit.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, speaking ahead of the summit, urged the international community to abandon “double standards” and hold Israel accountable. He warned that Israeli aggression would not affect Doha’s mediation efforts with Egypt and the United States.
More than 50 OIC member states are expected to participate. Confirmed attendees include Iranian President Masoud Pazishkian, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has also arrived in Doha. The attendance of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman remains uncertain.
The summit is seen as a symbolic display of Arab and Islamic unity, particularly among Gulf states allied with the US, some of which normalized relations with Israel in 2020.
Diplomats say the draft resolution condemns Israel’s attack on Qatar as a “destabilizing escalation” and rejects any plans to impose a new reality in the region. The resolution does not currently include economic or diplomatic sanctions, though amendments may be considered.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit emphasized that the summit sends a clear message: “Qatar is not alone, Arab and Islamic states stand with it.” PM Sharif’s participation highlights Pakistan’s commitment to regional unity and the protection of Palestinian rights.
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