WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed in Washington DC on Thursday on an official visit to the United States at the invitation of US President Donald Trump to attend the inaugural session of the Board of Peace.
Accompanying the premier are Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
The prime minister is scheduled to take part in the Board of Peace meeting in Washington today and is also expected to hold separate engagements with senior US officials during his visit.
In a statement issued on Feb 18, the Prime Minister’s Office said Pakistan’s participation in the forum reflects its “effective role in promoting global peace” and highlights the country’s expanding diplomatic outreach. The statement noted that, besides attending the inaugural session, the prime minister will meet senior US leadership and fellow heads of delegation on the sidelines of the event.
The gathering is expected to cover bilateral ties as well as broader international issues of shared concern.
All 22 invited countries have formally joined the Board of Peace. Pakistan became a member in late January and signed the founding charter during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.
The summit is set to prioritise three key objectives: reinforcing a ceasefire in Gaza, securing financial commitments for the Board — with Washington pledging an initial $5 billion — and shaping a proposed global forum that President Trump envisions as succeeding where the United Nations has struggled.
Discussions are also likely to include plans for an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) aimed at protecting reconstruction areas and supporting governance arrangements in post-conflict Gaza.
Eight Muslim-majority nations — Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar and the UAE — are expected to attend, with participants anticipated to coordinate a common stance on Gaza-related matters.