ISLAMABAD: Sources indicate that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has left for the United States to participate in the inaugural global summit of the Board of Peace (BoP), hosted by US President Donald Trump in Washington on February 19. It is expected that during his visit, the prime minister will hold a direct meeting with President Trump.
He traveled from London, where he had been for a brief two-day stopover after completing his official visit to Austria. The sources revealed that the main agenda of Shehbaz’s Washington trip includes a one-on-one discussion with President Trump, as reported by The News last week.
One of the primary objectives of the meeting is to secure international funding for the reconstruction of Gaza. The BoP includes over 20 member countries, such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, the UAE, Indonesia, Argentina, and Hungary.
Last month, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to actively participate in global efforts to promote peace and stability in Gaza. “Pakistan will continue to engage in international initiatives to ensure peace and security in Gaza, working towards a sustainable solution to the Palestinian issue in line with United Nations resolutions,” he stated.
Pakistan has also expressed its willingness to contribute constructively to the US-led peace plan for Palestine at various international forums.
Trump announced the launch of his new Board at the World Economic Forum in Davos in late January. The initiative has garnered support from several world leaders, including Shehbaz Sharif, who signed on to promote a durable resolution for Gaza.
Reactions to Trump’s Gaza Initiative
Global reactions to Trump’s invitation to join the BoP have been cautious. While some Middle Eastern allies have joined, several of Washington’s traditional Western partners have refrained from participating. Notably, becoming a permanent member on the board involves a substantial contribution of $1 billion.
A UN Security Council resolution passed in mid-November authorized the BoP and affiliated countries to establish an international stabilization force in Gaza. The ceasefire, fragile and intermittently violated, was initiated in October under a Trump plan endorsed by both Israel and Hamas. Since then, over 600 Palestinians
have reportedly lost their lives amid ongoing tensions.
Trump’s Gaza plan, unveiled late last year, envisioned the board overseeing Gaza’s temporary governance, with expansion plans to address broader global conflicts. The situation remains tense, with ceasefire violations continuing to impact civilian populations.
