Washington (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached Washington on Thursday for an official visit to the United States, where he will take part in the inaugural session of the Board of Peace. The visit comes at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.
Accompanying the prime minister are Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
During his stay, the prime minister is scheduled to attend the opening session of the Board of Peace and is also expected to meet senior US officials. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday, Pakistan’s participation in the forum highlights its commitment to advancing global peace efforts and strengthening diplomatic engagement.
The statement noted that besides the formal proceedings of the Board of Peace, the visit will allow the prime minister to hold discussions with US leadership and other participating heads of government. Talks are expected to focus on bilateral ties as well as key international developments.
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Pakistan formally joined the Board of Peace in late January and signed its founding charter on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. All 22 invited countries have now become members of the body.
The summit is expected to centre on three major priorities: reinforcing the ceasefire in Gaza, securing financial commitments for the Board, with Washington pledging an initial $5 billion, and shaping a proposed global platform envisioned by President Trump as an alternative mechanism to address conflicts where existing institutions have struggled.
Another key topic likely to come under discussion is the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF), which would oversee reconstruction areas and support governance arrangements in post-conflict Gaza.
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Eight Muslim-majority nations are participating in the meeting, including Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. These countries are expected to coordinate closely and present a common stance on matters relating to Gaza.
