ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to attend the first leaders’ conference of US President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, sources said.
They said the premier would travel to Washington on February 18 and attend the meeting the following day. The high-level meeting is set to take place at the United States Institute of Peace and will include heads of state, heads of government, and prominent international representatives.
The inaugural session will centre on Gaza’s post-conflict reconstruction and is expected to lay down the institutional framework of the board, including its mandate, structure, and secretariat. Diplomatic officials said the gathering will also serve as a financial and organisational forum, with fundraising expected to be a key component.
Eight Muslim-majority countries — Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates — are anticipated to take part. Muslim participants are expected to present a coordinated stance on Gaza, particularly on preventing ceasefire violations and ensuring credible, long-term peace guarantees viewed as critical for reconstruction.
All 22 invited states have formally joined the Board of Peace. Pakistan became a member in late January and signed the board’s founding charter on January 22 during the World Economic Forum in Davos, alongside representatives from more than 20 countries.
Officials in Islamabad say Pakistan’s involvement underscores its continued diplomatic engagement on Gaza and its long-standing support for Palestinian rights under international law, stressing that the country’s position remains consistent.
Sources indicated that while long-term stabilisation measures may be discussed, any consideration of troop deployments would only follow once the board’s operational framework is finalised.
President Trump announced the creation of the Board of Peace last month as part of his broader Gaza transition and peace initiative. He is expected to chair the Washington meeting, presenting the platform as a mechanism for reconstruction and multilateral cooperation.
The idea of the Board of Peace was first floated in September 2025 as part of a 20-point Gaza peace proposal following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas earlier that year. Its formation was later backed by a UN Security Council resolution.
Resolution 2803, adopted in November, authorised international collaboration for Gaza’s reconstruction. The board’s charter assigns it humanitarian and rebuilding responsibilities, with provisions allowing for broader conflict-resolution roles.
This wide-ranging mandate has drawn reservations from several Western allies, particularly over governance, funding mechanisms, and long-term authority. Some countries have opted out of participation altogether.
Pakistan, meanwhile, has adopted what officials describe as a cautious and conditional approach, emphasising Palestinian self-determination and adherence to UN resolutions.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi has reiterated Islamabad’s position, calling for a permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and sustained reconstruction efforts.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have confirmed their participation, along with several other Muslim-majority nations. India is among the countries expected to stay away from the meeting.