Riyadh (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking at the Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Monday, strongly condemned the "deafening silence" of the international community in the face of the ongoing atrocities against the Palestinian people.
He called for swift and decisive action to protect the rights of Palestinians and to ensure the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Addressing the summit, Sharif emphasized that the Muslim Ummah had a collective responsibility—both by religion and conscience—to stand firmly with Palestine in its darkest hour. “We cannot allow the genocide and oppression of the Palestinian people to continue unchecked,” he stated, urging a united response from the Muslim world.
The prime minister outlined a bold plan of action for the summit, calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.
He also demanded the imposition of a full arms embargo on Israel, along with the lifting of the blockade on Gaza to allow for the delivery of essential aid, including food, water, electricity, and medical supplies.
Sharif also called for holding Israel accountable for its war crimes and urged the summit to support the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 10/24, which followed a landmark advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Additionally, he pressed for a comprehensive review of Israel’s status as a United Nations member state, questioning its continued legitimacy given its violations of international law.
The prime minister painted a harrowing picture of life in Gaza, where, he said, "families have been torn apart, homes obliterated, and hospitals and schools reduced to rubble."
He expressed deep concern about the international community’s failure to respond to the ongoing crisis, asking, "How long will this violence and suffering be allowed to continue without consequence?"
PM Shehbaz decried the hypocrisy of the global powers that, while supplying Israel with advanced weaponry, remained passive as Palestinians faced destruction on a massive scale.
He noted that Israel’s actions had been widely condemned as genocide—not only by the media but also by the ICJ. Yet, he lamented, the world’s silence on these violations has been deafening.
"The international community has failed to act in the face of these horrific crimes," he declared, adding that the moral fabric of the world was being tested and found wanting. "As Gaza bleeds, the world watches, unmoved," he said.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Sharif praised the indomitable spirit of the Palestinian people, who, he said, "have withstood decades of suffering and oppression" but continue to resist with unyielding resolve.
"Even under siege, their flames of defiance burn brighter than ever," he remarked.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestine, PM Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan's long-standing position on the issue. “We stand firmly with Palestine’s right to self-determination,” he affirmed, calling for the establishment of a viable, independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the pre-1967 borders.
He described this as the only just solution to the ongoing conflict in the region.
The prime minister also condemned Israel’s recent attacks on Iran, calling them an infringement on Iran’s sovereignty.
He likewise condemned Israel’s aggressive actions against Lebanon and expressed full solidarity with the Lebanese people.
The premier warned that such actions by Israel could trigger a broader regional conflict, destabilizing the entire Middle East.
PM Shehbaz expressed the hope that the summit would move beyond rhetoric and lead to tangible action.
"We must take collective, decisive steps to secure justice and dignity for the Palestinian people and for all those suffering from oppression," he urged.
PM Shehbaz also expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s leadership for hosting the summit and for its continued commitment to the cause of Palestinian liberation.
