ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Washington on February 18 to represent Pakistan at the first leaders’ meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, diplomatic sources told Pakistan Today on Tuesday.
The inaugural session, scheduled for February 19 and to be chaired by President Trump, will focus on the situation in Gaza, including efforts to restore peace and stability, sustain a ceasefire, ensure humanitarian access, and outline a roadmap for post-conflict reconstruction. Pakistan has received a formal invitation and is expected to attend, though an official announcement is still pending.
Pakistan’s participation aligns with its broader commitment to regional peace and a just resolution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Islamabad has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian assistance, and a political process guided by international law and UN resolutions.
Officials said Pakistan will reaffirm its long-standing support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Pakistan formally joined the US-led Board of Peace last month at a ceremony in Davos during the World Economic Forum. The initiative, initially focused on Gaza’s reconstruction following the Israel-Hamas conflict, has since expanded to include other conflict-affected regions.
The Washington meeting is expected to mobilise funding for Gaza’s reconstruction. More than 20 countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, the UAE, Indonesia, Argentina, and Hungary, are members of the board.
