The President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña (L), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (5L), the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani (CR), the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Morocco, Nasser Bourita (6D), the President of Argentina, Javier Milei (5D), the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan (2D), the former Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rosen Zhelyazkov (R), and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkiye, Hakan Fidan (4th), pose with US President Donald Trump signing a founding letter at the “Peace Board” Meeting during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan will attend the inaugural summit of the Gaza Peace Board, diplomatic sources confirmed to The express PAkGazette on Sunday, marking Islamabad’s latest diplomatic engagement aimed at promoting peace and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to sources, the first meeting of the board will be held on February 19 and will be chaired by US President Donald Trump.
A foreign ministry source said Pakistan had received a formal invitation. While an official decision has not yet been announced, Islamabad is likely to attend, the source added. Pakistan will be represented by the Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister, reflecting the importance attached to the initiative.
The meeting is expected to focus on the rapidly evolving situation in Gaza, measures to restore peace and stability and the formulation of a future roadmap to address the humanitarian and security dimensions of the crisis. Participants are also likely to discuss mechanisms to maintain a ceasefire, ensure humanitarian access and advance post-conflict reconstruction.
Diplomatic sources said Pakistan’s participation is seen as part of its broader efforts to contribute to regional peace and seek an early and fair resolution of the humanitarian emergency facing the people of Gaza. Islamabad has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian assistance, and a political process rooted in international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Pakistan has reiterated its long-standing position in support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Read: US plans to meet for Gaza ‘Peace Board’ in Washington on February 19, Axios reports
Officials believe that participation in the Gaza Peace Board will allow Pakistan to convey its perspective directly to key international stakeholders and advocate for collective action to prevent further civilian casualties and regional destabilization.
The initiative comes amid sustained international efforts to reduce tensions and address worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where shortages of food, medicine and shelter continue to pose serious challenges.
Pakistan was among the countries that formally joined the Peace Board last month at a ceremony held in Davos on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. The US-led initiative was first announced by President Trump last year, and its founding charter was signed by member states in Davos, marking the board’s first formal meeting.
Although initially focused on the reconstruction of Gaza following the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the initiative has since expanded its scope to include other areas affected or threatened by the conflict, according to officials cited by international media.
The officials said one of the main goals of the upcoming Washington meeting is to mobilize funds for the reconstruction of Gaza. Membership on the board requires a financial contribution, and contributing countries are eligible for permanent membership.
So far, more than 20 countries have joined the council, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Argentina and Hungary. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has publicly confirmed that he will attend the Washington meeting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accepted an invitation to serve on the board, is also expected to be in Washington for separate talks with President Trump.
The junta’s statutes conceive it as a flexible international mechanism aimed at ensuring lasting peace in conflict-affected regions.
