Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has called for an independent state of Palestine while addressing the the second Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, held in Riyadh.
He stated that this is “the only avenue towards justice and durable peace in the Holy Land.”
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment and unwavering support to “establish an independent, viable and contiguous State of Palestine with Al-Quds Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital, based on the pre-1967 borders.”
He started his address by criticising Israel, pointing out: “With each passing day, every moral code is flagrantly violated by Israel. yet the killing and destruction continue with no end in sight. I ask … how long will this annihilation be ignored?”
During his address, he demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, an immediate arms embargo on Israel, lifting Israel’s blockade of Gaza and ensuring the prompt delivery of food, water, electricity and medical aid to Gaza.
PM Shehbaz shows solidarity to Iran and Lebanon
The PM also condemned Israeli military action in Iran and Lebanon, warning: “Such escalations constitute a dangerous threat that could unleash a broader war.”
“As the Ummah, we are bound by duty, by faith and by our conscience to stand resolutely with the people of Palestine more than ever before”, he added.
The Saudi foreign ministry announced plans for the summit in late October.
How many people have been killed so far in Palestine?
Israel’s war on Gaza began after an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 that claimed more than 1,100 lives. Since then, Israel has killed more than 43,600 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them civilians.
Not only this, Israel has also killed more than 3,100 people in Lebanon since October 7 last year as it fights Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Will Trump stop Israel?
Earlier this year, US President-elect Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he wants Israel to wrap up its operation in Gaza by the time he returns to office if re-elected.
However, in the past Trump showed a great deal of support towards Israel. Therefore, it remains unclear how Trump will handle this situation.
