Pakistan Stands Firm With Qatar, Condemns Israel’s “Barbaric” Strike

In a week of turbulence across two regions, Pakistan once again projected itself as a voice of conscience and solidarity. As Israeli warplanes struck the heart of Doha, targeting Hamas leaders and killing six people including a Qatari security guard, Pakistan reacted with clarity: this was not only an attack on a sovereign country but another dark chapter in Israel’s campaign of violence against Muslims.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif minced no words in condemning the assault. “Yesterday, in Qatar, Israel once again launched an attack, a barbarity, against a sovereign country,” he declared during his cabinet meeting on Wednesday. “The blood being shed in Palestine, the innocent children, mothers and elders who are being martyred, has no parallel in the history of the world.” For Islamabad, the attack was more than a diplomatic concern. It was a test of principle, and Pakistan chose to stand with both Qatar and the Palestinian people without hesitation.

The Pakistani government moved quickly after the strike. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar issued an immediate statement condemning the attack, while Shehbaz Sharif personally called the Emir of Qatar to assure him of Pakistan’s full support. “The Emir thanked the people and government of Pakistan for standing by Qatar in this difficult time,”  Shehbaz Sharif told his ministers, underlining that Islamabad’s solidarity was not symbolic but heartfelt and deeply rooted in shared values. This strong reaction reflected Pakistan’s historical position: when sovereignty, human dignity, and the rights of oppressed peoples are violated, silence is not an option.

Pakistan also transformed its words into action on the international stage. Ishaq Dar confirmed that Pakistan, together with Algeria and Somalia, formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss Israel’s actions. Islamabad also led efforts at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, to push for a debate on what it described as Israel’s “brazen attack” on Doha. Islamabad welcomed Qatar’s decision to host an Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit on September 15 and offered to co-sponsor the event. For Pakistan, the summit represents not just a meeting but an opportunity to galvanize Muslim unity at a time when the region faces relentless aggression. “This is not only about Qatar,” Ishaq Dar explained. “This is about defending sovereignty, dignity, and the rights of the entire Muslim world.”

Qatar denounced the strike as a “criminal act” and a “flagrant violation of international law,” pointing out that it endangered both Qatari citizens and foreign residents. For years, Doha has hosted Hamas’ political bureau as part of international mediation efforts. The attack, observers argue, was meant to punish Qatar for its central role in peace negotiations. Hamas confirmed its negotiators were the target. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later admitted the strike was “a wholly independent Israeli operation,” taking full responsibility. The backdrop is grim. Since Israel launched its campaign in Gaza in October 2023, more than 64,600 Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of women and children. Pakistan has consistently called these actions war crimes, and this time, it extended that criticism to Israel’s spillover aggression against Qatar.

Islamabad’s reaction was neither surprising nor new. Pakistan never recognized Israel and it always stood on the Palestinian side. Since the very beginning of its foreign policy, Pakistan has been insisting that the Palestinian people should be given the justice, freedom and dignity.

In denouncing the Doha strike in such strong terms, Shehbaz Sharif government reinvented a tradition that transcends party boundaries: Pakistan has not been a late entrant when it comes to Palestine, but a principled one. It is being on the side of the oppressed, questioning occupation, and that of refusing to accept duplicity in international politics. The principled position also reinforces the relationship between Pakistan and Gulf countries and especially Qatar as an energy partner and investment as well as labor relations partner. Pakistan has been in a position to also strengthen a relationship founded on trust and solidarity by standing with Doha in the time of need.

Even though Islamabad was firm on its denunciation of Israel, it played a gentler role with Nepal, where the political instability has caused the country to be in a state of turmoil. The wave of anti-corruption protests organized by youths under the influence of a controversial social media ban saw Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli toppled and the protests ended in only two days. At least 25 people were killed and well over 600 people were wounded as soldiers patrolled the capital under curfew.

Pakistan also said it was saddened by the loss of life and sent its condolence in a statement. We would wish to express our regrets to the bereaved families and prayers to the quick recovery of the injured. The Foreign Office said: we believe in the strength of the Nepalese people to build a new future of harmony and revitalised hope. In contrast to its aggressive policy towards Israel, the message that Pakistan sent to Nepal was sympathetic, cautious and sensitive to sovereignty. It was in a recognition that the younger generation in South Asia is beginning to dominate politics as was witnessed in Bangladesh in the preceding year where student-led demonstrations toppled the government led by Sheikh Hasina.

Pakistan and Nepal diplomatic relations date back to 1960. Although there is no huge bilateral trade, Pakistan sells textiles and pharmaceuticals, Nepal sells tea and cardamom, the two countries enjoy a cordial relationship with each other in the category of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Pakistan has been a consistent supporter of Nepal in the climate change and trade forums whereas Kathmandu has been a supporter of Pakistan in regional cooperation. In sending condolences and assurances of its belief in the strength of Nepal, Islamabad sent a message that despite the crisis in the world, it places an emphasis on regional cooperation.

Combined, these two diplomatic episodes one in the Middle East, one in South Asia, bring out the changing role of Pakistan. At Doha, it is the protector of Muslim unity, who is prepared to oppose aggression of Israel and to unite international bodies. It is a kind neighbor in Kathmandu, who does not want to meddle, but is willing to show friendship. The contrast is deliberate. Pakistan is aimed at projecting itself as a global responsible and principles partner. It demonstrates that Islamabad can be aggressive when the sovereignty is invaded, and restraint when neighbors experience civil disturbances.

This juggling act also serves as a recollection of the Pakistani identity: a country that was made through conflict, characterized by its toughness, and as a country that is committed to being on the correct side of history. In protecting Palestine and Qatar, and in taking Nepal to heart, Pakistan is telling the world it is not only shrinking to crises, it is contributing to the creation of a moral response.

With the Middle East bleeding under Israel war in Gaza and South Asia trembling with protests of the youth, the voice of Pakistan is clear. The voice of responsibility, principle, and solidarity. By standing shoulder to shoulder with Qatar on one side and even reaching out to Nepal on the other Pakistan is demonstrating that its diplomacy is not only about interests but also about values. To Islamabad, it is more than a foreign policy. It is a mirror of the way Pakistan is: the nation that does not want to remain silent about injustice, the nation that appreciates friendship, and the nation, which insists on bringing its moral compass to the world arena.