ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to travel to Washington next week to attend the inaugural Board of Peace summit, sources told The Express Pakinomist, as Pakistan intensified its diplomatic outreach on Wednesday with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar holding separate phone calls with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts amid regional developments.
While a formal announcement about the Prime Minister’s visit is yet to be made, well-placed sources confirmed that it has been decided at the highest level that he will represent Pakistan at the summit scheduled to take place in Washington on February 19. The high-level meeting, to be chaired by US President Donald Trump, will focus on conflict resolution efforts and post-war stabilization initiatives, particularly in Gaza.
The sources further revealed that there is also a possibility of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Trump at the White House on the sidelines of the summit.
Although no official confirmation of the potential engagement has been issued, diplomatic channels are said to be working on schedule.
Pakistan’s participation in the Board of Peace summit reflects Islamabad’s cautious but proactive diplomatic stance as it navigates shifting geopolitical lines. Officials say the country intends to use the platform to reiterate its principled stance on key international issues, including its longstanding support for Palestinian self-determination, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a sustainable political solution based on international law.
Apart from the Gaza peace plan, the Prime Minister is likely to discuss Iran-US tensions with President Trump as Pakistan is one of the regional countries actively engaged with relevant actors to ease tensions between Washington and Iran.
On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to seek to defuse tensions in the region.
According to statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, where the two leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments and discussed issues of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to remain in close coordination.
In a separate phone call, Dar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The two leaders discussed regional developments and stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in dealing with new challenges. They agreed to continue close engagement and coordination.
The expansion into Tehran comes amid increased volatility in the wider Middle East.
Pakistan has repeatedly emphasized the need for restraint, de-escalation and diplomatic solutions to prevent further instability in the region.
The sources suggest that Pakistan’s current flurry of engagements spanning Washington, Ankara and Tehran signal a calibrated strategy aimed at strengthening its voice in ongoing global and regional talks.
By participating in the Board of Peace summit while consulting key regional partners, Islamabad appears to be positioning itself as an active but cautious stakeholder in developing diplomatic frameworks.
