ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the Peace Board was held to deliberate on the ongoing situation in Gaza, where Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, delivered an important address reaffirming Pakistan’s principled position on Palestine.
Ashrafi stated that Pakistan and several Islamic countries have joined the Gaza Peace Board with the sole objective of supporting the Palestinian people. He emphasized that both the people and the state of Pakistan share a unified and consistent stance on the Palestine issue. According to him, certain elements are attempting to create divisions within the nation for political purposes by misrepresenting Pakistan’s position on Palestine.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir have consistently represented the voice of the Muslim Ummah on the Palestine issue. He expressed hope that in the latest meeting of the Gaza Peace Board, the Prime Minister would once again reiterate Pakistan’s principled stance.
Ashrafi made it clear that Pakistan’s position remains firm: the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Al-Quds الشريف (Jerusalem) as its capital, reconstruction of Gaza, a complete ceasefire, and an end to Israeli aggression and violence.
He further clarified that Pakistan’s participation in the United Nations-approved ceasefire and reconstruction framework for Gaza does not signal any shift in its long-standing policy. Since its inception, Pakistan has consistently supported the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state, while not recognizing Israel. That policy, he stressed, remains unchanged.
Ashrafi explained that participation in the Peace Board is a collective initiative that also includes Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Indonesia. Therefore, linking Pakistan’s involvement to any form of normalization or recognition of Israel is incorrect. He noted that participation in multilateral forums does not equate to diplomatic recognition, but rather reflects global responsibility and constructive engagement.
He underscored that Pakistan’s involvement in the forum is conditional upon ensuring a permanent ceasefire, reconstruction of Gaza, and concrete progress toward the establishment of a Palestinian state. He added that decisions regarding ceasefire and reconstruction are best shaped by countries present at the negotiating table.
Ashrafi concluded by reaffirming that Pakistan’s presence in the forum is aimed at safeguarding Palestinian interests and ensuring that no step is taken contrary to the Palestinian position. Pakistan’s historical stance, he said, remains steadfast: full support for Palestine, accompanied by active and principled engagement on the international stage.
