The first inaugural meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace, chaired by US President Donald Trump, was held in Washington, in which Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif also participated.
Important matters including the reconstruction of Gaza, the establishment of a global stability force, and peace and security in the region were discussed in the meeting. During this time, Pak-India tensions were mentioned. President Trump stated that he holds Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in high regard, Field Marshal Asim Munir is a remarkable leader and a formidable military figure, which reflects that in the eyes of the world, after the defining confrontation against India, Pakistan’s honor and dignity have significantly strengthened.
The United States is considered the most powerful state in the current global order in terms of military, economic, and diplomatic strength. From the United Nations to the IMF, the World Bank, and global financial markets, American influence is of a pivotal nature. In such a situation, if the President of the United States, especially a leader with an influential and strong political personality like Donald Trump, openly praises Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, these are not merely formal sentences but are understood as a clear diplomatic signal in international diplomacy. This message not only reaches the American bureaucracy, Congress, and think tanks, but also serves as a signal to global powers and financial institutions that Pakistan cannot be ignored. From a diplomatic and security perspective, positive remarks by the US President can create an important strategic opening for Pakistan. In sensitive matters such as Pak-India tensions, if the tone of the White House regarding Pakistan is measured and appreciative, it can help maintain balance in the region. Possibilities such as defense cooperation, collaboration in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and the restoration of military training programs can be strengthened. Moreover, when the narrative against Pakistan is intensified at global forums, the positive attitude of the US administration can play a role in moderating that narrative, which is extremely important for Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Addressing the meeting of the Board of Peace, President Trump said that he had stopped eight wars. He added that they would have to work harder for peace. He stated that many close partner countries were included in the Board of Peace and that they were all striving for the establishment of peace. He said that there was no other forum besides that one to achieve the goals. He stated that he had stopped the Pakistan-India war, in which eleven aircraft had been shot down. He remarked that it was a difficult task to broker a deal during a war. He further said that relations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been strengthened during the Pakistan-India war. He also stated that Hamas would have to disarm and that the agreement would have to be honored. He added that the Gaza war had ended and warned that if Hamas did not lay down its arms, a robust response might follow.
From Pakistan’s point of view, the situation in Gaza is not merely a geographical dispute or a temporary war conflict but a critical test of international humanitarian law, moral responsibility, and the global conscience; therefore, the Gaza Board of Peace is being viewed in objective circumstances as a broad-based, multilateral, and empowered diplomatic platform which can not only advance practical steps such as an immediate ceasefire, uninterrupted provision of humanitarian aid, and the establishment of a global stability force, but can also, by understanding the root causes of the conflict, lay the foundation of a durable and viable political framework. It should be noted that neither the OIC nor the United Nations could ensure compliance with international laws and the Gaza conflict continued to intensify with each passing day, but by understanding the structure of the Board of Peace, it can be hoped that if the Board members remain sincere, it can achieve success in establishing peace.
In Pakistan’s view, the usefulness of the “Gaza Board of Peace” is also considerable because this forum, instead of remaining limited to statements, possesses the capacity to integrally connect practical peace objectives, pressure on the warring parties, adherence to agreements, and a system of international monitoring. If through this platform the intensity of Israeli attacks is reduced or ended, the protection of human lives is ensured, and a comprehensive reconstruction plan is formulated, it will be a positive turning point not only for Gaza but for the entire Middle East.
Pakistan is also aware of the fact that in sensitive matters such as Pak-India tensions, the tone and attitude of global powers affect the balance of the region; therefore, if a constructive diplomatic narrative about Pakistan emerges on this very forum, it creates an important strategic space in diplomatic and security terms, which can strengthen the possibilities of defense cooperation, collaboration in counterterrorism, and regional stability.
For this reason, Pakistan’s overall position is that the Gaza Board of Peace is not merely a meeting or a temporary diplomatic activity but has the potential to become the most effective, comprehensive, and authoritative forum for resolving the Gaza issue, and also has the capacity to secure for the Palestinians their right of self-determination, and the participation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in it is not only a timely and responsible step but also a clear expression of Pakistan’s proactive, balanced, and peace-oriented foreign policy.
The most important point is that while addressing the meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace, Trump said that countries are contributing their share for the reconstruction and stability of Gaza, more than 7 billion dollars have already been given for the reconstruction of Gaza, the United States will give 10 billion dollars for the reconstruction of Gaza, FIFA will help in raising 75 million dollars for projects in Gaza, according to Trump, the United States wants to obtain such a Gaza that is effectively and responsibly administered, do not think that it will be necessary to send troops for war, Gaza can no longer afford further bloodshed.
