ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Friday defended Pakistan’s decision to join US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, saying the move strengthened efforts to support peace in Gaza and reflected Pakistan’s diplomatic success alongside key Muslim allies.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Iqbal responded to criticism by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, stressing that Pakistan’s participation was rooted in principle and solidarity with the Palestinian people.
“Israel is a brutal country, and there is no change in this principled stance,” Iqbal said. “Pakistan has always demonstrated independence and sovereignty. We are the guardians of Pakistan’s security and sovereignty.”
Pakistan accepted Trump’s invitation to join the Board of Peace a day earlier. The new forum is intended to support the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan, including coordination on ceasefire arrangements, humanitarian assistance and post-conflict reconstruction, while aligning with a broader political process under United Nations auspices. The charter signing ceremony was held in Davos on Thursday.
Iqbal said Pakistan’s decision ensured it was not isolated on an issue of deep concern to the Muslim world. “Our hearts are torn over Gaza. If Pakistan had not participated, they would have said Pakistan stood alone,” he said, adding that the country was now working alongside Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Qatar, and the UAE to contribute to peace efforts.
He rejected the notion that joining the board compromised Pakistan’s stance, calling it a diplomatic gain. “With the PML-N in power, no one can cast a malicious eye on Pakistan’s security and stability,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s allies were also among the leading Muslim countries involved in the initiative.
During Thursday’s session, Maulana Fazlur Rehman had sharply criticised the government for joining the board without consulting parliament, warning that expecting peace under Trump’s leadership was “self-deception”. He questioned whether Pakistan’s foreign policy was being shaped under external pressure and recalled Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s description of Israel as an “illegitimate state”.
The JUI-F chief also objected to the lack of parliamentary and cabinet consultation, arguing that the National Assembly had been sidelined on a matter of international importance.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) echoed similar concerns, rejecting the decision in a statement on X and insisting that moves of such global significance required transparency and broad-based political consultation. Opposition leaders also questioned the absence of Palestinian representation on the board.
Responding to the criticism, Iqbal said Pakistan did not need lessons on safeguarding its security or sovereignty. “If Pakistan has got centre stage today,” he said, “it is Pakistan’s diplomatic success.”
Legislative Business
The joint session also saw the passage of three bills — the Daanish Schools Authority Bill 2025, the Human Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill 2025 — amid protest by the opposition.
During the session, opposition members, led by opposition leaders in the Senate and NA — Abbas and Mehmood Khan Achakzai — gathered near the speaker’s dias and protested against the bills.
President Zardari had returned these bills last month despite their passage by the Senate and the NA. With regards to the Daanish Schools Authority Bill, a statement by the Presidency had quoted Zardari as saying: “In the case of the establishment of Daanish schools in the provinces, prior consultation with the respective provincial governments is essential.”
A day earlier, according to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, the government had already taken other allied parties into confidence on the matter and assured them that all three bills would be passed in the joint sitting.
The PML-N leader said that he and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had met a PPP delegation, comprising Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, and Farooq H. Naek, to assure the ruling partner that the proposed legislation would not impact the 18th Amendment, which had devolved education to provinces.
When the Daanish Schools Authority Bill was presented in the joint sitting, the JUI-F objected to it.
JUI-F Senator Murtaza contended that President Zardari had returned the bill unsigned and had termed it contrary to the Constitution. The bill, however, was passed.
The Human Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025 was presented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chaudhry while PPP MNA Shazia Marri also proposed an amendment in the legislation, both of which were approved.
The JUI-F also recommended some amendments to the bill, which were rejected.
PPP’s Sharmila Faruqui presented the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, which was passed amid protest by opposition members.
JUI-F chief Rehman termed the legislation “unconstitutional and unlawful”, calling for it to be referred to the Council of Islamic Ideology. He said the bill was contrary to Islam.
In the legislation’s defence, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry contended that the bill would provide protection to not just women but men as well.
