A multi-party conference on the Gaza crisis began in Islamabad on Monday, as the Muslim world observed Palestine Solidarity Day. But Imran Khan’s PTI was absent from the moot.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are hosting the MPC. PML-N President Nawaz Sharif was sitting next to Zardari.

Political leaders of various parties, including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, ANP chief Aimal Wali Khan, Khalid Magsi of Balochistan Awami Party, MQM-P leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, PML-Zia’s Ijazul Haq, former caretaker prime minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, and Abdul Aleem Khan of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party are attending the conference.

Pakistan concerned over Gaza situation

As the one-year anniversary of Israel’s military actions in Gaza approaches, Pakistan has expressed “profound concern” over the humanitarian toll, particularly on women and children.

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch highlighted the tragic loss of 42,000 lives during a press briefing in Islamabad.

Baloch condemned the starvation and what she termed“genocide of the Gazan population.“ She described the past year as marked by “Israel’s indiscriminate assaults” on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and shelters.

Specific attacks mentioned included airstrikes on Khalifa Bin Zayed School in northern Gaza, a mosque in Deir el-Balah, and refugee camps in Jabalia and Tulkarem, all leading to significant civilian casualties.

“These actions, which have resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians, including children and women, constitute serious war crimes committed by Israeli forces without accountability,” she stated.

In light of the continuing violence, Baloch called on the UN Security Council to “act decisively to impose an immediate and permanent ceasefire” to safeguard the people of Gaza. She reiterated the demand for Israel to be held accountable for its actions, labeling them as “war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

Conference aimed at achieving unanimous condemantion

The conference was aimed at achieving a unanimous condemnation of what it describes as Israeli genocide in the Middle East. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made this commitment during a meeting with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman at the PM House on Friday.

The leaders agreed to express national solidarity with the Palestinian people and to observe a “Day of Solidarity with Palestine” on October 7, marking the anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel last year.

An official press release stated that the premier would host the “All Parties Conference” to address this pressing issue. The plan includes nationwide gatherings and seminars to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians and protest against ongoing Israeli aggression.

A committee has been formed to organise both the “Day of Solidarity” and the multi-party conference. The committee will feature Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, alongside PPP leaders Sherry Rehman and Nayyar Bukhari, and PML-N representative Khawaja Saad Rafique.

More to follow…