London (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has departed for Washington to participate in the first global summit of the Board of Peace (BoP), an initiative launched by US President Donald Trump. The meeting is scheduled to take place tomorrow in the US capital.
The prime minister traveled to Washington from London, where he had spent two days following the completion of his official visit to Austria earlier this week.
According to media reports, PM Shehbaz is expected to hold a one-on-one meeting with President Trump during his stay. A central focus of the summit will be efforts to secure financial support for the reconstruction of Gaza.
More than 20 countries are currently part of the Board of Peace. Its members include Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Argentina, and Hungary.
Last month, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting international initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in Gaza. He stated that Islamabad would remain actively engaged in diplomatic efforts seeking a durable resolution to the Palestine issue in line with United Nations resolutions.
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Pakistan has also expressed its willingness at various international platforms to contribute constructively to the US-led peace framework.
President Trump formally introduced the Board of Peace during the World Economic Forum held in Davos in late January. Several world leaders, including PM Shehbaz Sharif, endorsed the initiative, committing to work toward a sustainable agreement for Gaza.
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions globally. While some Middle Eastern allies of Washington have joined the initiative, many traditional Western partners have yet to do so. Permanent membership reportedly requires a financial commitment of $1 billion.
In mid-November, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution authorizing the board and cooperating nations to establish an international stabilization force in Gaza. The region has been under a fragile ceasefire since October under a plan brokered by Trump and accepted by Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.
Under the original proposal, the board was intended to oversee temporary governance arrangements in Gaza. President Trump later suggested expanding its mandate to address other global conflicts as well.
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Despite the ceasefire agreement, violations have continued. Reports indicate that more than 600 Palestinians have lost their lives since the truce came into effect in October, raising concerns about the stability of the agreement.
