Doha attack: Pakistan requests Security Council meeting

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said Pakistan, Algeria and Somalia had requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation after an unprovoked attack on Doha, the capital of Qatar, carried out by Israel.

In a post shared on X, Dar, who is also the foreign minister, again reiterated that Pakistan’s complete solidarity and firm support with the government and people of Qatar.

Earlier on Tuesday, Dar said the Israeli attack “blatantly violates international law and humanitarian norms. Targeting civilians and sovereign territory is an indefensible act of aggression”.

Read more: Israel attacks Doha to assassinate Hamas leaders

Similarly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the Israeli air strike as “most dangerous provocation that could imperil regional peace and stability”.

“This act of aggression by Israel is totally unjustified, a brazen violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, and constitutes a most dangerous provocation that could imperil regional peace and stability,” Shehbaz said in a statement.

Expressing full support to Qatar’s government and people, he condemned “the unlawful and heinous bombing in Doha by Israeli forces, targeting a residential area, and endangering the lives of innocent civilians”.

At the same time, he said Pakistan stood by Qatar and the Palestinians.

“Pakistan stands firmly with the State of Qatar, as well as with the people of Palestine against Israel’s aggression.”

PM Shehbaz to attend emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha

On the other hand, President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s full support to Qatar and warned that “such actions are a grave threat to peace in the region”.

‘CRIMINAL ACT’

In his immediate reaction, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had termed the Israeli strike a “criminal act” as he phoned with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince affirmed the Kingdom’s full solidarity with… Qatar and its condemnation of the blatant Israeli attack on the State of Qatar, which constitutes a criminal act and a flagrant violation of international laws and norms,” read a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency.