title:Pakistan Invited to Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace Initiative
ISLAMABAD: In a notable diplomatic development on Sunday, the United Statesextended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to join thenewly established Board of Peace on Gaza, as confirmed by Foreign Officespokesperson Tahir Andrabi. This invitation arrives during the second phaseof President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which seeks totransition the territory toward stability following a fragile ceasefire.Pakistan’s response underscores its commitment to international peaceefforts, raising questions about the potential implications for Islamabad’slongstanding support for Palestinian rights. The announcement has sparkeddiscussions on how Pakistan might influence postwar governance in theconflict zone.
The Board of Peace, chaired by President Trump himself, represents ahigh-level international mechanism designed to oversee Gaza’sreconstruction, transitional governance, and related issues such asdemilitarization. Recent announcements from the White House have includedprominent figures like US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoySteve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and formerBritish Prime Minister Tony Blair. Invitations have also been sent toleaders from Egypt, Turkiye, Argentina, and Canada, indicating a broadcoalition aimed at addressing Gaza’s humanitarian and administrativechallenges in the post-conflict era.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, responding to media queries,stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has received the invitation fromthe US President. He emphasized that Pakistan will maintain activeengagement with international initiatives for peace and security in Gaza.This position aligns with Islamabad’s consistent advocacy for acomprehensive resolution to the Palestine issue, grounded in relevantUnited Nations resolutions that call for an independent, sovereign, andcontiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-QudsAl-Sharif as its capital.
Pakistan’s involvement in Gaza-related diplomacy is not recent, as thecountry has participated in multilateral consultations since September 2025as part of a group of Arab and Islamic nations. Earlier statements from theForeign Office highlighted support for the Gaza peace plan endorsed by theUN Security Council, including Resolution 2803 adopted in November 2025,which provided a framework for ceasefire implementation, humanitarianassistance, and eventual Palestinian self-determination. Islamabad hasrepeatedly stressed the need for unhindered aid access, civilianprotection, and accountability under international humanitarian law.
The invitation to join the Board of Peace presents both opportunities andconsiderations for Pakistan. Analysts note that participation could allowIslamabad to advocate directly for Palestinian interests within a US-ledstructure, potentially influencing decisions on reconstruction funding,governance capacity-building, and regional stabilization. However, concernspersist regarding the board’s composition, which lacks Palestinianrepresentation and includes figures closely associated with US and Israelipolicy perspectives. Observers have expressed apprehension that such amechanism might prioritize certain security interests over equitablepolitical outcomes.
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Despite these complexities, Pakistan’s reaffirmation of engagement reflectsits principled foreign policy stance on the Palestinian cause. The countryhas historically provided moral, diplomatic, and humanitarian support,while avoiding direct military involvement in disarmament efforts. DeputyPrime Minister Ishaq Dar previously clarified that Pakistan’s leadershipremains aligned against deploying troops for tasks such as de-weaponizingarmed groups in Gaza. This cautious approach balances constructiveparticipation with adherence to core positions on justice and sovereignty.
The broader context of Gaza’s situation remains critical, with ongoingchallenges including widespread destruction from prolonged conflict,displacement of populations, and urgent requirements for large-scalehumanitarian intervention. The second phase of the US plan focuses onestablishing a transitional technocratic administration, fulldemilitarization, and reconstruction, yet sustainability depends oninclusive processes and compliance with international legitimacy. Pakistanhopes these steps will pave the way for a credible, time-bound politicaltrajectory leading to Palestinian statehood.
This development highlights evolving dynamics in global diplomacysurrounding the Middle East conflict. As more details emerge about theBoard of Peace’s mandate and operations, Pakistan’s potential role couldcontribute to bridging perspectives among diverse stakeholders. Theinvitation signifies recognition of Islamabad’s influence within the Muslimworld and its consistent calls for resolution based on UN frameworks.Whether Pakistan accepts and how it shapes its engagement will likelyinfluence future multilateral efforts toward durable peace in the region.
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