FO says resolution supports Palestine’s cause; Hope new framework will lead to lasting ceasefire
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
In a move that could have far-reaching implications, Pakistan on Wednesday accepted an invitation to take a seat at the US-led peace council, joining Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in welcoming the initiative to bring peace to Gaza.
In a joint statement issued by the State Department on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Pakistan and the seven other Muslim nations announced their countries’ joint decision to join the board appointed by US President Donald Trump.
“Each country will sign the accession documents in accordance with their respective relevant legal and other necessary procedures, including Egypt, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, which have already announced their decision to join,” the joint statement said.
The foreign ministers reiterated their support for Trump’s peace efforts and pledged to cooperate fully in implementing the board’s mission as a transitional administration under the ‘comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict’ approved by UN Security Council Resolution 2803.
The statement highlighted the board’s objectives: “Consolidating a permanent ceasefire, supporting the reconstruction of Gaza and promoting a just and lasting peace based on the Palestinian right to self-determination and statehood in accordance with international law, thereby paving the way for security and stability for all countries and peoples in the region.”
The announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs comes just ahead of the signing ceremony scheduled for Thursday (today) in Davos on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) to formally establish the Peace Council. Trump will chair the event along with several world leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be in attendance.
The State Department said Pakistan’s participation reflects its longstanding commitment to international peace and security, as well as its consistent support for the Palestinian cause.
“Pakistan hopes that with the creation of this framework, concrete steps will be taken towards the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, further scaling up of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians, as well as reconstruction of Gaza,” the statement said.
The government stressed that an immediate and lasting ceasefire remains essential to ameliorate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where months of conflict have left thousands dead and displaced large parts of the population. Islamabad also stressed the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian access to ensure delivery of food, medicine and essential supplies to civilians.
The Foreign Ministry said Pakistan hopes that efforts under the Peace Council will lead to the realization of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination through a “credible, time-bound political process”, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.
“Pakistan looks forward to continuing to play a constructive role as part of the Peace Council for the achievement of these goals as well as to end the suffering of our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” the State Department said.
Diplomatic sources said Pakistan’s admission to the Peace Council was likely to increase the body’s legitimacy, especially among Muslim-majority countries, and could help bridge the gap between various international stakeholders involved in the Gaza peace effort.
Officials familiar with the development justified Pakistan’s decision to join the board, underscoring Islamabad’s growing relevance in an increasingly polarized global order. They said the initiative enjoys the support of several influential countries, including a number of Muslim-majority states.
“The objective of the Board of Peace is clear: resolution of the Gaza crisis strictly in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions,” a senior official told The Express Pakinomist. “It aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire and facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza.”
Sources said the board would also ensure the protection of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including statehood and self-determination. “This is not token participation,” a source said. “It reflects the recognition of Pakistan’s diplomatic strength and its importance in the global comity of nations.”
Addressing domestic criticism, officials rejected comparisons between the Board of Peace and the proposed International Security Force (ISF) for Gaza. They emphasized that Pakistan’s position on the ISF has been clearly articulated at several levels.
“Any commitment to an ISF, if at all, would only be consistent with Pakistan’s national interests, a clear UN mandate and the aspirations of the people of Pakistan and Palestine,” a State Department source said. “To equate the Peace Council with the ISF is illogical and out of place.”
The officials further argued that in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment, withdrawal carries its own risks. “As fault lines harden, neutrality can easily become irrelevant,” one source noted.
“For the most significant military power in the Muslim world, restraint is not prudence; it is strategic forfeiture,” the source added, pointing to Pakistan’s long record of contributions to UN peacekeeping missions as proof of its credibility.
