Pakistan on Friday strongly condemned the recent Israeli aggression against the State of Qatar, describing it as an egregious violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and international law, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said during the weekly media briefing.

“This highly provocative and reckless action constitutes a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, international law, the UN Charter, and norms governing inter-state relations,” Shafqat Khan told journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He said Pakistan expressed complete solidarity with the brotherly State of Qatar and called upon the international community to hold Israel accountable for this “unprovoked and unlawful aggression.”

“This reckless act is yet another manifestation of Israel’s continued disregard for international peace and security, and its policy of destabilising the region,” he added.

Shafqat Ali Khan said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook an official visit to Qatar following the Israeli attack on Doha on September 9, to express solidarity with the Qatari leadership and people.

During his meeting with Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s strongest condemnation of the Israeli attack and reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support in defending Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Shafqat Khan said the prime minister also conveyed condolences on the loss of innocent lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. “The prime minister emphasised that Israel’s brazen aggression must be stopped, and the Muslim Ummah must stand united in the face of such provocations,” he said.

He added that the Prime Minister appreciated Qatar’s role in promoting peace in Gaza and highlighted that the attack was clearly aimed at undermining regional stability and sabotaging ongoing peace efforts.

Shafqat Khan confirmed that Pakistan, at Qatar’s request, initiated an emergency session of the UN Security Council, which was also supported by Algeria and Somalia, to discuss the situation arising out of the Israeli aggression.

Addressing the UNSC, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, warned that Israel’s attack was a deliberate attempt to derail diplomatic efforts and prolong civilian suffering, he added.

He termed it part of a larger pattern of aggression by Israel in the region, including in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Yemen, in violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter.