FO says decision supports Palestinian cause; Hopes new framework will lead to lasting truce
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: Archive
ISLAMABAD:
In a move that may have far-reaching implications, Pakistan on Wednesday accepted an invitation to take a seat on the US-led Peace Board, joining the ranks of Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in welcoming the initiative to bring peace to Gaza.
In a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Pakistan and the seven other Muslim countries announced their countries’ shared decision to participate in the board created by US President Donald Trump.
“Each country will sign the accession documents in accordance with their respective relevant legal and other necessary procedures, including Egypt, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, which have already announced their decision to join,” the joint statement said.
The foreign ministers reiterated their support for Trump’s peace efforts and pledged to fully cooperate in the implementation of the junta’s mission as a transitional administration under the ‘Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict’, supported by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.
The statement highlighted the junta’s objectives: “To consolidate a permanent ceasefire, support the reconstruction of Gaza and promote a just and lasting peace based on the Palestinian right to self-determination and statehood in accordance with international law, thereby paving the way for security and stability for all countries and peoples in the region.”
The Foreign Ministry’s announcement comes just before the signing ceremony scheduled for Thursday (today) in Davos on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) to formally establish the Peace Board. Trump will chair the event with several world leaders in attendance, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Foreign Ministry said Pakistan’s participation reflects its long-standing commitment to international peace and security, as well as its consistent support for the Palestinian cause.
“Pakistan hopes that with the creation of this framework concrete steps will be taken towards the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, a further increase in humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, as well as the reconstruction of Gaza,” the statement said.
The government stressed that an immediate and lasting ceasefire remains critical to easing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where months of conflict have left thousands dead and displaced large segments of the population. Islamabad also highlighted the urgent need for unimpeded humanitarian access to ensure delivery of food, medicine and essential supplies to civilians.
The Foreign Ministry said Pakistan hopes that efforts under the Peace Board will lead to the realization of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination through a “credible and time-bound political process”, consistent with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
“Pakistan looks forward to continuing to play a constructive role as part of the Peace Board in achieving these goals as well as ending the suffering of our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Diplomatic sources said Pakistan’s inclusion in the Peace Board would likely improve the body’s legitimacy, particularly among Muslim-majority countries, and could help bridge gaps between different international actors involved in peace efforts in Gaza.
The officials, familiar with the development, justified Pakistan’s decision to join the junta, underscoring Islamabad’s growing relevance in an increasingly polarized global order. They said the initiative has the backing of several influential countries, including several Muslim-majority states.
“The purpose of the Peace Board is clear: to resolve the Gaza crisis strictly in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,” a senior government official told The Express PAkGazette. “Their goal is to achieve a permanent ceasefire and facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza.”
Sources said the junta would also ensure the protection of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including statehood and self-determination. “This is not a symbolic participation,” said a source. “It reflects recognition of Pakistan’s diplomatic clout and its importance in the global community of nations.”
Addressing internal criticism, officials rejected comparisons between the Peace Board and the proposed International Security Force (ISF) for Gaza. They emphasized that Pakistan’s position on ISF has been clearly articulated at multiple levels.
“Any participation in a FSI, in any case, would only be in accordance with Pakistan’s national interest, a clear UN mandate and the aspirations of the people of Pakistan and Palestine,” a foreign ministry source said. “Equating the Peace Board with the FSI is illogical and out of place.”
Officials further argued that in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment, disengagement carries its own risks. “As fault lines harden, neutrality can easily become irrelevant,” one source noted.
“For the largest military power in the Muslim world, abstention is not prudence; it is a strategic loss,” the source added, pointing to Pakistan’s long history of contributions to UN peacekeeping missions as proof of its credibility.
