Islamabad (TDI): The Pakistan Foreign Office has confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will attend the upcoming Gaza Board of Peace summit in Washington, describing their participation as an engagement in good faith.
It was reported earlier that PM Shehbaz is scheduled to travel to Washington next week for the inaugural summit. The visit comes amid active diplomatic outreach, with Dar holding separate calls with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts to discuss evolving regional developments. Officials have also suggested the possibility of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sharif and President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the summit.
Pakistan’s participation signals a cautious yet proactive diplomatic approach. Officials said Islamabad aims to use the platform to reaffirm its positions on key international issues, including support for Palestinian self-determination, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and a long-term political solution grounded in international law.
The summit is also expected to provide an opportunity for discussions on Iran-US tensions, with Pakistan positioned as a regional interlocutor seeking to ease hostilities between Tehran and Washington.
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Addressing questions about Israel’s participation, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said, “The Israeli Prime Minister’s decision to participate in the Gaza Board of Peace is their own. We do not comment on their decision.”
Andrabi also provided updates on Pakistan’s broader diplomatic and defense engagements:
Uzbekistan’s president recently visited Pakistan, agreeing with Sharif to raise bilateral trade to $2 billion, with an expanded preferential trade agreement.
Kazakhstan’s president visited as well, discussing security and defence cooperation and agreeing to joint military exercises; trade is set to increase to $1 billion.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with Azerbaijan’s Economic Minister and Iran’s foreign minister on regional cooperation.
On domestic security, Andrabi confirmed that former Army Chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa is recovering at CMH after a fall at his residence.
Regarding legal and regional matters, Pakistan reaffirmed adherence to the Indus Waters Treaty during hearings at the International Arbitration Court in The Hague, noting India’s mandatory participation. Andrabi also criticized India for ignoring mob violence against Muslims last year, resulting in 55 deaths.
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He highlighted ongoing security threats, citing UN reports that the Afghan administration allows TTP operations against Pakistan, and that extremist networks, including ISIS and other groups, continue to pose risks. Andrabi emphasized Pakistan’s readiness to respond to any future aggression from India.
On economic diplomacy, he noted that the UAE agreed to roll over a loan through Dar’s efforts, while stressing that Pakistan continues active diplomatic engagement despite regional tensions.
