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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to hold Israel accountable for its “unprovoked aggression” against Qatar, Pakistan's UN mission said on Friday, following Israeli airstrikes in Doha.

Israel attempted to kill the political leaders of Hamas with the attack on Tuesday, escalating its military action in what the United States (US) described as a unilateral attack that does not advance US and Israeli interests.

The UNSC condemned the strikes on Qatar's capital, but did not mention Israel in the statement agreed to by all 15 members, including Israel's ally the United States, at an emergency meeting on the Middle East.

Speaking at the session, Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said the attack was a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, contrary to the international law.

"This irresponsible action by Israel is yet another manifestation of its systematic disregard for international law, and its brazen policy of destabilizing the region," he said.

"The Council must go beyond; must hold Israel accountable; safeguard the role and protection of mediators engaged in peace efforts; and recommit to the centrality of international law and the UN Charter in maintaining international peace and security."

The development came hours after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha to stress Muslim unity as the Gulf country called for a collective regional response to Israeli airstrikes.

Speaking at the UNSC meeting convened at the request of Algeria, Pakistan and Somalia, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani accused Israel of trying to derail efforts to end the war in Gaza, which has killed over 64,000 Palestinians since Oct. 2023, by attacking Hamas leaders in Doha, but pledged to continue its mediation efforts.

Ambassador Ahmad said at a time when delicate negotiations on Gaza peace deal were progressing towards a possible breakthrough, striking the territory of a principal mediator and those directly involved in negotiations is a deliberate attempt to "sabotage diplomacy, derail peace efforts, and prolong the suffering of civilians."

"It is evident, that Israel, the occupying power, is bent on doing everything to undermine and blow-up every possibility of peace," he said.

"Israel’s destructive policies are incompatible with the international community’s quest for peace and stability. Sadly, it has been emboldened by the weak response, and inaction by this Council."

The Pakistani representative said the Israeli attack on Qatar adds to its "long and dubious record" of aggression, brutal military actions in Gaza, repeated cross-border strikes in Syria, Lebanon, Iran and Yemen.

"Pakistan expresses its complete solidarity with the Government and people of Qatar and fully supports their inalienable right to take all necessary measures, in accordance with the UN Charter, to defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of all persons within their territory," he added.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will embark on a 10-day visit to China today, Friday, to hold discussions with the Chinese leadership on enhancing bilateral economic and trade cooperation, the foreign office said.

The visit will take place days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official trip to China last week, where Islamabad signed investment agreements and joint ventures worth $8.5 billion with Beijing.

Zardari's trip from Sept. 12-21 would include visits to Chengdu and Shanghai cities, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region where he will meet Chinese provincial leaders, the foreign office said.

“The discussions will encompass Pakistan-China bilateral relations, with a particular focus on economic and trade cooperation, CPEC and future connectivity initiatives,” the statement said.

Pakistan views China as an important investment partner and strategic ally, which has funneled billions of dollars into the country under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy and infrastructure project for over a decade.

The foreign office said Zardari’s visit would reaffirm both countries’ support over core interests, advance economic and trade ties and underscore their commitment to regional peace.

China is its largest trading partner, with bilateral trade topping $25 billion in recent years. Chinese firms have invested heavily in Pakistan in power, transport, infrastructure and telecoms projects under the multi-billion-dollar CPEC.