Islamabad Expresses Solidarity with Qatar, Denounces Israeli Aggression
Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s recent attack on Qatar and firmly rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial remarks that appeared to draw a parallel between the Israeli strike and the U.S. operation that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
In a weekly press briefing on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated that the Israeli strikes violate international law and the UN Charter, posing a direct threat to regional peace and security. He emphasized Pakistan’s “unwavering support” for Qatar, calling the attack a blatant violation of its sovereignty.
“Pakistan stands with its brotherly Islamic country Qatar,” said Khan, urging the Muslim world to “join hands to stop the path of the oppressor.” He refrained from directly addressing Netanyahu’s rhetoric, stating that Pakistan refuses to dignify the statements of leaders “responsible for genocide.”
Netanyahu’s Remarks Spark Outrage; Pakistan Dismisses UK Policy Targeting Claims
Netanyahu had drawn international criticism after he likened Israel’s attack on Qatar to the U.S. Navy SEAL operation that killed bin Laden in Abbottabad in 2011. “Did anyone condemn the U.S. for killing Osama bin Laden in Pakistan? They applauded. They should do the same for us,” Netanyahu said in a video message. He also threatened to target Hamas leaders in Qatar and other countries if they were not expelled or “brought to justice.”
In response, Pakistan reiterated its position that Israeli aggression destabilizes the region and called for Muslim unity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also demanded an immediate halt to Israeli actions in the Middle East, emphasizing that collective action is needed to counter these provocations.
Addressing unrelated media speculation, Khan also dismissed reports suggesting that Pakistan is being singled out by the UK for visa restrictions. He clarified that Pakistan and the United Kingdom continue to work together on shared priorities and challenges under existing diplomatic frameworks.
The clarification follows statements by the UK’s new Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, who warned of possible visa cuts for countries that do not cooperate on migrant return agreements. Mahmood emphasized the UK’s firm stance on immigration and national border security.
