A former Pakistani prime minister urges the creation of an Islamic military force to combat Israel

Image: Jihad Watch

On October 7, 2024, coinciding with the first anniversary of the 2023 Hamas terror attacks on Israel, an all-party conference took place at the President’s House in Islamabad. Leaders from various political parties and religious organizations voiced their support for the Palestinian cause, with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif advocating for the establishment of an Islamic military force to confront Israel. Meanwhile, Dr. Zakir Naik, an exiled Indian preacher on a month-long official visit to Pakistan, called for a NATO-like coalition of Islamic nations to assist the Palestinians and seek a resolution to the conflict.

The conference, presided over by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, featured prominent figures such as Nawaz Sharif, head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) party; Maulana Fazlur Rehman, emir of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F); Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, emir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan; Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui from Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM); Ijaz-ul-Haq, leader of Pakistan Muslim League (Z) and son of former military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq; Sarwat Qadri from Sunni Tehreek; and others.

During his address, Nawaz Sharif, the influential brother of current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, told the gathered political and religious leaders: “The worst atrocities are being committed in Gaza. The entire region has become a landscape of destruction. Unfortunately, the world has chosen to remain silent. The UN appears powerless.” 

As reported by the Urdu daily Roznama Ummat, Nawaz Sharif suggested the formation of “a military alliance of Islamic countries,” emphasizing that Islamic nations possess significant military resources. He questioned, “If not now, when will they act? Perhaps this moment may not come again. Israel is showing its strength because international powers support it. They must consider how long they can test the patience of the Islamic world and Palestine.”

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)