Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with govt, people of Qatar: DPM

DOHA, Sep 14 (APP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar Sunday said Pakistan stood in complete solidarity with the government and people of Qatar and fully supported their inalienable right to take all necessary measures, in accordance with the UN Charter to defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and the safety of all persons within their territory.
In a statement made at the Preparatory Ministerial Meeting of the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit here, he said, “Pakistan condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the illegal and unprovoked Israeli aggression against the brotherly State of Qatar.”
“This reckless and provocative attack constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, contrary to the fundamental principles of international law including the UN Charter, in particular its article 2(4) prohibiting the threat or use of force,” he explained.
He said, “As the Prime Minister of Pakistan has stated, this act of aggression by Israel is unjustified, and constitutes a most dangerous provocation that could imperil regional peace and stability.”
“The Israeli strike against a sovereign state that has been actively partaking in the ongoing mediation efforts along with the US and Egypt, to reach a ceasefire in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is unwarranted, unjustified, and appalling,” he said adding, “It also exposes Israel’s rogue mindset that disregards every tenet of global law and norms. Israel’s actions reek of an unabashed aggressor that is hell bent on achieving its heinous objectives and is unbothered if that pursuit topples the entire edifice of international order.”
“No state is safe from such an unhinged entity that defies all precepts of civilized behaviour,” he remarked.
The Deputy Prime Minister said, “Israel’s unspeakable atrocities against the Palestinians over the last almost two years are another testament to the limits it can breach in implementing its evil designs.”
“Israel has become a persistent irritant and a danger to world peace and security,” he noted.
“No measure of global outcry, scrutiny, protest or accountability could be enough to rein in the Israeli barbarity in Gaza. Israel’s increasing illegal incursions in the regional countries without any remorse or fear of liability have set a dangerous trend which must be put to a decisive stop. The Arab-Islamic world must hold hands in thrusting a united front to the brazen Israeli hostility in the region,” he continued.
He said, “Pakistan commends Qatar’s important and constructive role in facilitating mediation efforts, including for a ceasefire, which has been widely and consistently appreciated by the world, together with the role of Egypt and the U.S. We recognize Qatar’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. Targeting Qatar is thus not only an attack on a sovereign state, but also an attack on diplomacy and mediation itself.”
He said, “As a member of the UNSC, along with Algeria & Somalia, Pakistan helped convene the Emergency meeting of the UNSC to formally bring this matter before the Security Council.”
“We have also called on the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on behalf of the OIC, together with our Arab partners, to convene an urgent debate so that the Council can hold Israel accountable for its brazen attack on Doha, aimed at undermining ongoing ceasefire efforts,” he told.
“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.”
Ishaq Dar said, “As a non-permanent member of the UNSC, Pakistan will continue to work with the OIC and Arab partners to mobilize global support for Israel’s accountability for its rogue actions in the Middle East and for the Palestinian right to self-determination, justice and peace.”
“The primary responsibility for ensuring global peace and security lies with the UN Security Council. The Security Council must be urged to impose a cost on Israel if it defies the demands and the will of the international community. The Council must enact enforcement measures including the deployment of an international protection force to save the besieged population in Gaza,” he stressed.
He said that the question of Israeli accountability was a test for the credibility of the global system.
“The Arab-Islamic world must rise to this challenge with unity, resolve, and purpose. Israel must be held accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity. It should not be allowed to get away with attacking Islamic countries and killing people with impunity. ”
Another step was the creation of an Arab-Islamic task force to monitor the Israeli designs in the region and adopt effective deterrent and offensive measures in a synchronized manner to ward off Israeli expansionist designs, he said adding, “In line with the call made by the OIC, we must pursue the suspension of Israel’s membership of the United Nations. Following up on this step would be a clear message of seriousness by the Ummah.”
He emphasized that member states should actively consider implementing additional punitive measures against Israel, as a means to reinforce accountability and deter further violations of international law.
He urged that the UN Security Council must urgently demand Israel, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire, release of hostages and exchange of Palestinian prisoners.
He called for unfettered, sustained and secure humanitarian access to all civilians in need, and the protection of aid workers, medical teams and UN personnel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
He underscored the need for revival of a genuine and time-bound political process to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting two-state solution in accordance with international law and relevant UN and OIC resolutions.
“Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to the cause of global peace. As an elected member of the UN Security Council, Pakistan will continue to work with the OIC and Arab partners to mobilize global support towards this end,” he concluded.