ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has confirmed its participation in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit on Gaza, which has been called by Saudi Arabia.
The special representative to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and the Pakistan diaspora in Middle Eastern and Islamic Countries, Tahir Ashrafi, emphasized the importance of not turning such matters into a point-scoring exercise.
The OIC summit, scheduled for November 12 in Riyadh, will address the escalating military situation in the occupied territory and discuss the brutal aggression against the Palestinian people. The summit is expected to be attended by leaders from various Islamic countries, with the Iranian president already confirming his participation.
This gathering of Islamic leaders comes more than a month after Israeli forces began their attacks on Gaza in response to an operation by Hamas on October 7. The ongoing Israeli military offensive has resulted in a significant number of casualties, with a considerable portion being children.
Tahir Ashrafi and caretaker PM Kakar in Islamabad strongly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and called on the international community to urgently intervene to halt Israel’s aggression against the Palestinian population. They welcomed the upcoming OIC meeting in Jeddah to address the deteriorating situation in Palestine.
Ashrafi also mentioned positive economic developments following the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council. Additionally, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the G7 to take a unified stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict during talks with foreign ministers in Japan.
Pakistan Sends Second Shipment Of Relief Supplies To Gaza
In another development, Pakistan has sent its second shipment of relief supplies to assist the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who are under siege. The relief goods which were sent off in a special flight was seen off by Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and Human Rights Minister Khalil George.
The Palestinian Ambassador in Islamabad, Ahmad Jawad Rabei, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Disaster Management Authority also attended the sendoff ceremony at Islamabad International Airport.
Foreign Minister Jilani expressed Pakistan’s full support for the Palestinian people and condemned Israel’s use of force in Gaza, which he described as brutal, disproportionate, and indiscriminate, particularly against civilians, including women and children. He emphasized the urgent need to stop Israeli aggression, lift the siege on Gaza, and uphold principles of justice and humanity while facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
