ISLAMABAD – An All Parties Conference (APC) on Palestine held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, attended by a large number of political party leaders. Participants have called for efforts to unite Islamic countries against Israel.
According to media reports, the conference was held at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the Middle East situation and the issue of Palestine.
President Asif Zardari, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, JUI-F Chief Fazlur Rehman, former caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, ANP leader Aimal Wali Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Hafiz Naeem, Yousuf Raza Gilani, Ishaq Dar, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and other party leaders are participating in the conference.
The conference officially began with the national anthem, followed by recitation of the Quran. Sherry Rehman presented the agenda, stating that the conference was being held in response to Israel’s attack on the Palestinian people on October 7. The conference then commenced with a speech by the President.
President Zardari
In his speech, President Asif Ali Zardari said that there is a draft from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for this conference, but he also has his own sentiments to share. He mentioned Pakistan’s historical support for the PLO and his multiple meetings with Yasser Arafat, noting that Israel’s increasing aggression is a threat to regional peace.
He added that over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the recent Israeli aggression, and Israel is now targeting Lebanon, Syria, and other countries. The international community has failed to stop Israel, and the ongoing genocide of Muslims in Palestine, especially in Gaza, must be taken seriously.
Nawaz Sharif
PML-N President Nawaz Sharif said that the atrocities against innocent Palestinians are among the worst in history, with entire cities reduced to rubble and children taken from their mothers and killed in front of their parents. He condemned the world’s silence on the issue, noting that some people perceive it as a religious matter rather than a humanitarian one.
Nawaz Sharif also criticised the UN for its inaction against Israel’s occupation of Palestine, comparing it to the unresolved Kashmir issue. He questioned the effectiveness of the UN, stating, “What is the point of the UN if it cannot provide justice and stop oppression?”
He emphasized the need for Islamic countries to come together and take decisive action, suggesting that they must consider a military coalition.
“If we don’t use our strength now, when will we? This might be the only opportunity,” he said, urging unity among Islamic nations to create a policy to prevent further bloodshed.
Fazlur Rehman
JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the foundation of Israel was laid in 1917 through a forced agreement by British Foreign Secretary Balfour, which led to Jewish settlements. He mentioned that Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah called Israel an illegitimate child, while the first statement from Israel’s president said their primary goal was the eradication of an emerging Islamic country.
He expressed dismay at those advocating for recognizing Israel and rejected the two-state solution, arguing that the October 7 attack had changed the dynamics of the Palestinian issue. He added that around 50,000 people have been martyred in Palestine, including 10,000 buried under the rubble.
Fazlur Rehman criticized the international community’s silence over the past year, admitting that Pakistanis have been complicit through inaction. He praised South Africa for bringing the issue to the International Court of Justice, stating that mere conferences are not enough; Palestinians need practical support.
He declared open support for Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by the West, calling it a group of Mujahideen, and criticized India for openly supporting Israel. He proposed that the government form a group of major Muslim countries and develop a joint strategy, noting that the conflict has spread to Lebanon and Yemen.
Leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, MQM-Pakistan, Balochistan Awami Party, PML-Q, ANP, and others also addressed the conference, emphasizing the need for unity and decisive action in support of Palestine.
