ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Wednesday reiterated their support for a two-state solution in the Middle East, calling for Muslim countries to unite in the face of complex challenges worldwide.
Prominent Muslim countries around the world, including Pakistan, have been advocating for an independent state of Palestine based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Sharif, who arrived on an official visit to Uzbekistan to promote trade and investment on Tuesday, said he and Mirziyoyev reviewed the Middle East situation, where an uneasy truce currently holds after Israel’s 15-month war on Gaza.
“Finally, I would like to mention that Pakistan stands by the people of Gaza, we believe in a two-state concept, an independent state of Palestine and their rights enshrined in UN Security Council resolutions,” Sharif said.
Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev speaks during a joint press stakeout with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Tashkent on February 26, 2025. (Photo courtesy: X/@PakPMO)
He said both leaders agreed on the need for greater Muslim unity to navigate the challenges of the complex world.
“I also told you that in this complex world we need to unite the Muslim world and we talked about Gaza during the negotiations,” Mirziyoyev said.
“There should be a two-state concept whether anyone would like it or not.”
Israel killed over 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza through its relentless military campaigns that began since Oct. 7, 2023 after a surprising Hamas attack.
Both sides agreed to an uneasy truce in January this year which has led to the cessation of hostilities and exchange of hostages.
Fears of the truce collapsing were renewed last week after Israel delayed the release of some 600 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday to protest what it says is the cruel treatment of hostages during their release by Hamas.
The Palestinian group has released hostages, and the bodies of four dead hostages, in large public ceremonies during which the Israelis were paraded and forced to wave to large crowds.
Hamas has said the delay is a “serious violation” of their ceasefire and that talks on a second phase of the truce are not possible until the Palestinians are freed.
