Islamabad (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to visit Washington on February 18 to attend the inaugural leaders’ meeting of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, scheduled for February 19 at the US Institute of Peace.
The first meeting will focus on Gaza’s post-war reconstruction and is expected to bring together heads of state, heads of government, and prominent international figures. The summit will also formalize the board’s mandate, structure, and operational framework, Dawn.com reported.
Eight Muslim-majority countries are slated to participate, including Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, and the UAE. Delegates are anticipated to adopt a unified stance on Gaza-related issues, including enforcing the ceasefire, preventing violations, and ensuring durable peace guarantees necessary for reconstruction. Mechanisms for long-term stability may also be discussed.
All 22 founding members of the Board of Peace have joined, with Pakistan signing the charter on January 22 at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Islamabad’s participation reflects its diplomatic engagement on Gaza, emphasizing continued support for Palestinian rights and international law.
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The February 19 meeting will serve both organizational and fundraising purposes, defining the board’s secretariat, mandate, and operational direction. Diplomatic sources indicate that discussions may touch on potential troop contributions, though any decisions would follow completion of the board’s structural framework.
President Trump launched the Board of Peace in late January as part of his broader Gaza peace and transition initiative, framing it as a platform for reconstruction and cooperation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet Trump on February 18, though his attendance at the board meeting is not yet officially confirmed.
The discussions will also focus on implementing the ceasefire and shaping Gaza’s future governance. The board, first proposed in September 2025 under a 20-point Gaza peace plan, was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which authorized international cooperation for Gaza’s reconstruction. Its charter grants humanitarian, reconstruction, and broader conflict resolution responsibilities, a mandate that has drawn mixed reactions globally.
While some Western allies have expressed reservations over the board’s structure, financing, and long-term authority, Islamabad has adopted a cautious but engaged approach. Pakistani officials stress that participation is guided by principles of Palestinian self-determination, alignment with UN resolutions, and international law.
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Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s position, highlighting the need for a lasting ceasefire, humanitarian access, and effective reconstruction. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto have confirmed attendance, along with several other Muslim-majority states, while countries such as India are expected to skip the meeting.
