‘By joining, Pakistan is contributing along with other Muslim nations to support peace in the region’
Minister of Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal speaking at the National Assembly PHOTO: YouTube/National Assembly of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD:
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Friday responded to comments made by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, defending Pakistan’s decision to join the Peace Board and emphasizing that the country’s participation strengthens efforts to support peace in Gaza and the Muslim world at large.
A day ago, Pakistan accepted Trump’s invitation to join his Peace Board, a new international mechanism aimed at supporting the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not provide details on the composition of the Peace Board or its operational modalities, but officials indicated that the forum was expected to play a facilitating role in coordinating ceasefire agreements, humanitarian assistance and post-conflict reconstruction, while supporting a broader political path under the auspices of the UN.
The signing ceremony for his letter was held yesterday in Davos.
Speaking at the National Assembly, Iqbal reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled stance on Israel, saying: “Israel is a brutal country, and there is no change in this principled stance. Pakistan has set an example of independence and sovereignty. The United States made five calls to prevent nuclear explosions, but we decided boldly, despite the entire world. We are the guardians of Pakistan’s security and sovereignty.”
He said Pakistan’s “hearts are broken” over Gaza, adding: “If Pakistan had not participated in the Peace Board, they would have said Pakistan was alone.” By joining, the country contributes alongside other Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, to supporting peace in the region.
Read: Authorities deny that Pakistani troops will be deployed in Gaza
Continuing, he said: “With the PML-N in power, no one can look maliciously at the security and stability of Pakistan. It is easy to make speeches in the cold and heated chambers of the Assembly, but we are criticizing actions that the people of Palestine celebrated.”
He added that Pakistan’s prominent role today represents a diplomatic success, noting: “Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are not only Muslim nations but also Pakistan’s closest allies, giving the country the opportunity to contribute to peace across the Muslim world.”
During Thursday’s National Assembly session, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticized the government for joining the Peace Board without consulting the National Assembly. He said Trump had formed the board according to his own wishes, deciding its members himself and remaining its chairman. “If we then associate hopes for peace, economic stability and a better future for the Palestinians with such a junta, we would be nothing more than fooling ourselves,” he said.
He also questioned Pakistan’s foreign policy, claiming that it has been shaped under external pressure and that the country had never pursued policies based on its own national interests. He further questioned whether the current rulers were following Quaid-e-Azam’s stance on Israel, recalling that Muhammad Ali Jinnah had called Israel an “illegitimate state”.
Read more: Fazl and PTI criticize government’s decision to join Trump’s Peace Board without parliamentary input
The JUI-F chief also questioned whether the National Assembly had been consulted on the matter. “You are supposed to represent 250 million people there. Did you even consider for a moment trusting this House?” he asked, adding that while he did not consider the assembly to be a true representative of the people, he claimed that status.
Terming the matter serious, he said that no importance was being given to the assembly and all its seats were effectively vacant. He also questioned whether the decision had been presented to the cabinet, calling it the executive body of the government. “There was not even confidence in the cabinet,” he added.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also rejected the government’s decision, saying it was of international importance and should not have been taken without transparency and broad political consultation. In a statement issued on Day
