Trump to chair BoP with sweeping powers; member states must contribute $1 billion
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has been invited to join the newly announced US-led Gaza Board of Peace (BoP), a powerful international body tasked with overseeing Gaza’s post-war transition, reconstruction and security restructuring, the State Department confirmed on Sunday.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said US President Donald Trump had formally invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to become part of the proposed BoP, underscoring Islamabad’s continued commitment to international efforts to achieve peace and stability in Gaza.
“Pakistan will remain committed to international efforts for peace and security in Gaza leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with UN resolutions,” Andrabi said while responding to media queries.
The invitation places Pakistan among a select group of countries being courted by Washington as it rolls out what officials describe as an ambitious and far-reaching Gaza peace plan designed to end the war, rebuild the devastated enclave and establish a new governance and security framework for post-conflict Gaza.
The White House formally unveiled the structure and initial membership of the BOP on Friday. Some observers believe the initiative resembled “a mini-UN of sorts”, initially focused on Gaza but with the potential to expand its mandate to other conflict zones in the future.
According to US officials, the BoP will act as the central political and financial authority overseeing Gaza’s transition phase, working alongside a technocratic Palestinian administration, international security forces and a reconstruction mechanism funded by global donors.
The development has been widely interpreted in diplomatic circles as a bold attempt by the Trump administration to reshape post-war governance in Gaza while asserting greater US control over peacemaking mechanisms traditionally led by the United Nations.
Officials in Islamabad see the invitation as international recognition of Pakistan’s longstanding and principled stance on Palestine. “The world has recognized Pakistan’s consistent and principled stance on Palestine,” a senior official said, noting that Pakistan’s inclusion reflects growing confidence in its diplomatic credibility and responsible global role.
Discussions are now underway within Pakistan’s leadership regarding the US proposed Gaza peace plan and the administrative and diplomatic mechanisms under it, including the BoP. These mechanisms aim to end hostilities, restore governance, ensure humanitarian relief and implement large-scale reconstruction in Palestinian territory.
Diplomatic sources said Pakistan’s potential participation would not be driven by bloc politics, but by the country’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of Palestinian civilians and supporting a just, durable political solution based on international law.
The White House said the founding members of the BoP include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and a key architect of past initiatives in the Middle East.
Other notables include Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management; World Bank President, Ajay Banga; and US Deputy National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel.
Leaders from more than 60 countries have been invited to serve on the wider Peace Council. Canadian media reported that Prime Minister Mark Carney has accepted the invitation. Argentine President Javier Milei publicly confirmed his participation, calling it “an honor” and saying Argentina would stand with countries that “confront terrorism head-on and promote peace and freedom.”
Turkey also confirmed receiving a formal invitation. Presidential spokesman Burhanettin Duran said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had been invited as a founding member. Egypt said it was investigating an invitation to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, while Jordan confirmed King Abdullah II had also been invited and consultations were underway.
Under the US plan, Gaza will be administered for a transitional period by a Palestinian technocratic body known as the National Committee for Administration of Gaza (NCAG). The body will be led by Dr. Ali Sha’ath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister from Khan Younis.
The NCAG will oversee the restoration of public services, the rebuilding of civilian institutions and the stabilization of daily life, while laying the foundations for long-term governance.
Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov has been appointed High Representative for Gaza, acting as the key liaison between the BoP and NCAG, with significant executive authority on the ground.
Security will be provided by an International Stabilization Force (ISF), led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers, who is currently the head of US special forces. The ISF will lead security operations, support “comprehensive demilitarization” and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.
A separate Gaza Directorate has also been formed, bringing together regional and international stakeholders, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, Egypt’s General Hassan Rashad, UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, Dutch diplomat Sigrid Kaag and Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay.
However, the initiative has generated controversy, particularly over its funding and governance model.
According to a draft charter seen by Bloomberg, the Trump administration is asking countries that want a permanent seat on the BoP to contribute at least $1 billion. President Trump would serve as the BoP’s inaugural chairman and retain ultimate authority over membership and decision-making.
Under the draft, each member state would have one vote, with decisions taken by majority vote, but all outcomes would still be subject to the president’s approval. Membership terms will normally be limited to three years, unless a country contributes more than US$1 billion in cash within the first year, in which case the term limit does not apply.
The charter describes the BoP as “an international organization that seeks to promote stability, restore reliable and lawful governance, and ensure lasting peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.” The body becomes official when three states have signed the charter.
A US official confirmed to Bloomberg News that while countries could join without paying, the $1 billion contribution would guarantee permanent membership. The funds, the official said, would be used directly for Gaza’s reconstruction, with assurances that “almost every dollar” would go to carrying out the BoP’s mandate.
Critics argue that the structure effectively gives President Trump disproportionate control, raising fears that the BoP could appear as a rival to the United Nations, an institution Trump has repeatedly criticized. Some European and regional countries have reportedly expressed serious reservations about the draft charter.
According to people familiar with the discussions, several states are working together to push back against provisions that would place financial control and agenda-setting powers almost entirely in the hands of the president. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also criticized the initiative, saying its details had not been coordinated with Israel.
Pakistan has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, unhindered humanitarian access, accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and a two-state solution leading to an independent Palestinian state. Officials said Islamabad would carefully evaluate the structure, mandate and implications of the BoP before deciding on the nature of its engagement.
Analysts believe Pakistan’s participation could enable the country to move beyond rhetoric and play a practical role in shaping humanitarian relief, reconstruction transparency and political outcomes. “This is an honor, a vote of confidence and a responsibility,” said a senior diplomat. “If managed wisely, Pakistan’s role can contribute meaningfully to protecting Palestinian interests and promoting a just and lasting peace.”
