Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has received an invitation from United States President Donald Trump to join the Board of Peace on Gaza, the Foreign Office confirmed on Sunday.
“Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions,” read the brief statement issued by Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi in response to media queries.
Pakistan has repeatedly insisted it is willing to play a “constructive role” for lasting peace in Palestine. However, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told a press briefing last month that the country’s civil and military leadership both agreed that they did not wish to send troops to Gaza to disarm Hamas.
The “Board of Peace” established by Trump ostensibly aims to chart a path forward for postwar Gaza, with the U.S. inviting the leaders of Egypt, Turkiye, Argentina and Canada to join it. The panel also includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and senior negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, with Trump himself serving as chair.
In response to the invites, the AFP news agency quoted a senior aide to Prime Minister Mark Carney as saying he intended to accept Trump’s call. Turkish and Egyptian leaders have also confirmed receipt of the invitation but have not confirmed whether or not they would participate. Argentine President Javier Milei, meanwhile, has wrote on X that it would be “an honor” to participate.
A draft charter of the Board of Peace calls for members to contribute $1 billion in cash if they want their membership to last more than three years. According to the Reuters news agency, each “founding” member state would serve no more than three years on the Board “subject to renewal by the chairman.”