ISLAMABAD: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), has criticized the government’s decision to join the Trump-led “Board of Peace,” accusing it of merely seeking the favor of US President Donald Trump.
During a session in the National Assembly, Fazl expressed concern over the lack of consultation with parliament and questioned whether the government had even kept the cabinet informed about this significant move. He also raised doubts about whether the Board of Peace was an alternative to established international bodies like the United Nations and the Security Council, suggesting it might create a parallel structure.
Fazl emphasized that Pakistan’s decision appeared to be driven by an attempt to gain favor with Trump rather than national interests, calling it a highly sensitive issue. He criticized the country’s foreign policy, alleging it was being influenced more by international pressure than by Pakistan’s own strategic priorities. He also announced that February 8 would be observed as a “black day” to protest these developments.
Similarly, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas labeled Pakistan’s involvement as “morally unjustifiable” and raised concerns about its ethical implications and potential consequences.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Gohar Ali Khan also voiced criticism, stating that the government’s decision to join the Gaza Peace Board lacked transparency and was made without parliamentary approval. Addressing the National Assembly, he questioned the absence of details surrounding the terms and conditions of Pakistan’s participation, noting that unlike UN bodies, the Board of Peace was not an international organization and required parliamentary oversight.
Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser distanced PTI from the decision, emphasizing the party’s opposition to the move.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman strongly condemned the initiative, asserting that the Gaza Peace Board was a mechanism aimed at seizing Palestinian land and resources. He categorically rejected Pakistan’s involvement, stating that the armed forces should not be deployed to Gaza under any circumstances. Rehman warned that any effort undermining Palestinian sovereignty or legitimizing occupation was unacceptable to Pakistan.
In response to the criticism, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry defended the government’s stance, asserting that decisions were made in the best national and Muslim collective interest. He highlighted Pakistan’s consistent support for Kashmir and Palestine and explained that the decision to join the Board aimed at Gaza’s reconstruction and a sustainable ceasefire. He called for unity and emphasized that such issues should be addressed through consensus, rather than political rivalry.
