LONDON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that the federal cabinet had approved Pakistan’s decision to join the Board of Peace, an initiative led by US President Donald Trump.
Leaders and senior officials from 19 countries, including Pakistan, appeared alongside President Trump on Thursday in Davos, Switzerland, to sign the founding charter of the board.
Initially created to oversee peace efforts in Gaza following Israel’s two-year military campaign, the Board of Peace’s mandate extends beyond the Palestinian enclave, aiming to play a broader role in resolving international conflicts.
Speaking to the media outside the Pakistan High Commission in London, Prime Minister Shehbaz described his visit to Davos as “very good” and confirmed that Pakistan had accepted Trump’s invitation with the cabinet’s approval.
“We signed with the hope that peace will prevail in Gaza, that Palestinians receive the respect they deserve, and that Gaza is rebuilt,” the prime minister said.
He stressed that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza required urgent global attention and reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing support for Palestinian rights.
The premier also referred to his meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, calling it positive. While he did not disclose details, he said Pakistan would continue constructive engagement with international financial institutions as it works to stabilise its economy.
Commenting on regional security, PM Shehbaz said he thanked President Trump for what he described as his role in “saving millions of lives in South Asia by ending the India-Pakistan war,” without providing further details.
Separately, Prime Minister’s aide Rana Sanaullah confirmed the cabinet’s endorsement of the decision during Geo News’ programme Naya Pakistan.
“There was extensive discussion, and the cabinet endorsed it. Only after that did the prime minister accept the invitation,” he said, adding that consultations had taken place over the past week to 10 days.
Despite government assurances, the decision has drawn criticism from politicians and analysts, who termed the move “unwise” and said Pakistan had acted hastily.
Defending the decision in the National Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said Pakistan joined the body overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction in the interest of the Palestinian people.
The matter was also raised during a joint sitting of Parliament on Friday, where Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman alleged that the decision stemmed from a “fear of Trump”.
Rejecting the criticism, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan’s presence “at centre stage” alongside brother Muslim countries to contribute to peace in Gaza and Palestine constituted a “diplomatic win”.