Lasting peace should follow 'genocidal operation' in Gaza, says Pakistani PM

Shehbaz Sherif calls for creation of a Palestinian state at World Governments Summit

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that a lasting peace, based on a two-state solution, should follow the cessation of war in Gaza.

“It is now our hope that the genocidal operation would be followed by lasting peace,” Mr Sharif told the World Governments Summit in Dubai, referring to Israel's war in Gaza.

“Durable and just peace is only achievable through the two-state solution” that would see the creation of an independent Palestinian state, he added.

Mr Sharif said that the annual summit in Dubai “could not have come at a more important time, as the region begins to recover from the tumultuous aftershocks of the tragic conflict in Gaza”.

Pakistan has been a strong critic of Israel's war in Gaza, which has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians since the Hamas attacks on southern Israel in October 2023. Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal on January 19 to halt the war, release Palestinian detainees and free Israeli hostages held in the enclave.

During high-level talks in Abu Dhabi, President Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Sharif issued a call for peace in the Middle East. The two leaders met on Tuesday and emphasised the need for intensified global efforts to maintain regional security and stability, as the fragile truce between Hamas and Israel comes under pressure.

Elon Musk speaks through video link with Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications. Antonie Robertson / The National

Former British prime minister Boris Johnson speaks to Richard Quest of CNN on the second day of the World Governments Summit in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Emad El Din Adeeb, of Sky News Arabia, left, with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the Arab League, and Jasem Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Co-operation Council, right, at the summit. Antonie Robertson / The National

Dr Kamal Kharazi, head of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations. Antonie Robertson/The National

Brian Niccol, right, chief executive of Starbucks, speaks to John Defterios. Antonie Robertson / The National

Former UK prime minister Tony Blair. Antonie Robertson / The National

Visitors attending day two of the summit in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Makhtar Diop, managing director of the International Finance Corporation. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, right, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, attend the World Governments Summit. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, meets Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, on the first day of the summit. Wam

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, presents the GovTech Prize to a winner at the summit. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour meets Adylbek Kasymaliev, chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan. Hassan Bargash Al Menhali / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, with Bui Thanh Son, Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Wam

Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, alongside Richard Quest of CNN. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, hands over a Global Government Excellence Award at the event at Madinat Jumeirah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, addresses the summit. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Jason Miller, senior adviser to US President Donald Trump. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Andrzej Duda, President of Poland. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mohammed Al Shehhi, Secretary General of the UAE Media Council. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Application, and Robin Li, co-founder and chief executive of Baidu, discussing emerging technologies. Mr Al Olama is also vice chairman of the World Governments Summit. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and chairman of the World Governments Summit, speaks at the Madinat Jumeirah complex. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A Dubai Railbus vehicle on display. Testing of the sustainable transport project is expected to be complete in two years. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The meeting in Abu Dhabi also saw Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Sharif reviewing ways to bolster co-operation between the nations as well as strengthening ties in sectors including the economy, trade and development, state news agency Wam reported.

In his speech at the World Governments Summit, Mr Sharif praised Dubai as “a city where the future meets the present, a hub of global economy, promise, and technology”. He also spoke about Pakistan's economic growth, saying that the country “stands at a defining moment of economic transformation”.

In January, Sheikh Mohamed met Mr Sharif in the city of Rahim Yar Khan during his visit to Pakistan. Mr Sharif also travelled to the UAE in May last year in support of the deep-rooted ties between the countries.

The UAE is home to more than one million Pakistani citizens, making them the second-largest expatriate community after Indians. The relationship between the UAE and Pakistan dates back to the foundation of the Emirates in 1971. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise the country after it was established more than 50 years ago.