Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated his call for the establishment of a free and independent Palestinian state, with Al-Quds Sharif as its capital, during his address at the Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh on Monday.
Speaking at the summit in Saudi Arabia’s capital, the premier emphasised that the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state is more crucial than ever.
He also demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, condemning Israel’s actions as an unprovoked escalation of aggression. “Israel has crossed all limits of aggression in Gaza. Hunger, poverty, and famine have taken root in the region,” he stated.
PM Sharif expressed his solidarity with the Palestinian people, acknowledging the devastating toll the conflict has had, including the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of millions. “International laws and values are being violated by Israel,” he said, urging the international community to take immediate action to stop the Israeli atrocities in Palestine.
The premier also lauded the Arab and Islamic leaders who gathered for the summit, calling it a significant step in addressing the ongoing crisis. “It is an important moment for all of us to unite and discuss the situation in Palestine,” Sharif added.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister, who also attended the summit, described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as beyond imagination, emphasizing that Israel is weaponizing the cessation of aid to Palestine in its war efforts.
He called for an immediate ban on the supply of weapons to Israel, noting that the country’s actions against Iran were also a cause for regional concern.
The Arab-Islamic Conference in Riyadh is being attended by key leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The summit has seen widespread condemnation of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, with calls for an immediate ceasefire and a collective effort to end the violence.
Earlier in the summit, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other leaders strongly denounced the Israeli offensive and expressed their commitment to resolving the conflict and ensuring peace in the region.
