Pakistan Welcomes Board of Peace Developments Under Gaza Peace Plan: PM Shehbaz
In a significant development, Pakistan has welcomed developments under the Board of Peace towards implementing the disarmament process under the Gaza Peace Plan. The Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed his country’s support for the efforts aimed at achieving peace in the region.
According to US President Donald Trump, talks between mediators and Hamas leaders on Thursday led to a phased disarmament agreement in Gaza. However, concerns have been raised about Israel’s skepticism towards Palestinian surrender of its weapons under this deal. The United States has designated the Donald J Trump Institute of Peace as the Board of Peace’s headquarters.
The Board of Peace was initially proposed by Pakistan in September 2025 and formally established in January. Its charter outlines a comprehensive approach to peace-building, including disarmament, reconstruction, and conflict resolution. Under its charter, the US government serves as the official depository for the board’s documents.
A UN Security Council resolution adopted last November authorized the Board of Peace, along with cooperating states, to establish an international stabilisation force in Gaza following a ceasefire that began in October under a Trump-backed plan accepted by Israel and Hamas. Pakistan is among 14 countries that signed the charter on January 22 at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The list of founding members also includes Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Albania, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cambodia, El Salvador, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Mongolia, Morocco, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Uzbekistan. The board’s mandate expands to peace-building in all areas affected by or at risk of conflict.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended President Trump’s “courageous leadership” for achieving progress under the Board of Peace. He emphasized that this represented a significant achievement for the board and expressed hope that concrete steps will be taken towards implementing all commitments under the Gaza Peace Plan.
The prime minister also stressed that Pakistan hopes these efforts would lead to the realisation of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people through a credible and time-bound political process, in line with international legitimacy and relevant UN resolutions. He concluded by stating that this should result in the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The Board of Peace is expected to play a crucial role in achieving peace in Gaza and the wider Middle East region. As Pakistan continues to support this effort, it remains to be seen how these developments will unfold and what implications they may have for regional stability.
Based on reporting from Dawn.
