PM Shehbaz to attend emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Qatar on September 15 to participate in emergency Arab-Islamic Summit following the recent Israeli blasts in Doha.

The summit, co-sponsored by Pakistan, will underscore the recent alleged Israeli airstrikes on Doha and the escalating developments in Palestine, following Israeli attempts to occupy Gaza, expand settlement activities in the occupied West Bank and forcibly displace the Palestinians.

Heads of states and governments and senior officials of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will participate in the summit, the issued statement said.

​One day ahead of this summit, a preparatory meeting will be held among foreign ministers of the OIC member countries. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will participate in the preparatory session.

This is the second major meeting that is taking place in the aftermath of the several Israeli blasts happened at one time in Doha, murdering several civilians.

Earlier on Thursday, an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) was also convened at the request of Pakistan, Algeria and Somalia to discuss the situation after an unprovoked attack on Doha.

Pakistan and Israel traded barbs at the UNSC after Pakistan denounced Israel’s recent strike on Doha targetting Hamas leaders, calling it “illegal, unprovoked and a threat to regional stability.”

Qatari Premier’s UNSC address

Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, also addressed the session under UN procedures, condemning the Israeli strike in strong terms.

PM Sheikh Mohammad said it had hit residential compounds housing negotiation teams, Hamas representatives and their families, leaving residents terrified.

“This is a violation of the sovereignty of a UN member state. Led by bloodthirsty extremists, Israel has crossed every line. Have you ever heard of a state targeting a mediator in this way?” he asked.

Linking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s justification to the Taliban’s political office in Doha, the premier noted that the US had never attacked Taliban negotiators in Qatar. Qatari PM warned that Israel’s actions were destabilizing the region and destroying prospects for peace. “We seek peace, not war, and we will not be intimidated by the chants of destruction,” he said.

Ahead of this meeting, He also said in an interview with CNN that there would be a response that is under discussion with regional partners to Israel’s Tuesday attack on Doha.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to carry out more attacks not only on Qatar but also other countries.

Doha attack: Pakistan requests Security Council meeting

“There is a response that will happen from the region. This response is currently under consultation and discussion with other partners in the region,” Al-Thani said. “The entire Gulf region is at risk,” he added.