Pakistan to Attend First Gaza Board of Peace Meeting in Washington, PM Shehbaz Sharif Likely to Participate
Pakistan has decided to attend the first meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace, a US-initiated international forum scheduled to be held in Washington on February 19, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expected to represent the country, according to official sources. The meeting will be chaired by United States President Donald Trump and is aimed at reviewing the situation in Gaza, including the fragile ceasefire, humanitarian assistance, reconstruction efforts and pathways towards sustainable peace in the region. Pakistan has received a formal invitation to join the initiative, and consultations are ongoing before a final announcement on the level of representation is made in the coming days.
Sources said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to travel to Washington to attend the meeting, though a final decision regarding his participation will be taken after internal deliberations. Diplomatic sources quoted by local media described the event as significant and confirmed that Pakistan will be in attendance, adding that the invitation was extended directly to the prime minister. The meeting is expected to take place at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, and will also function as a fundraising conference for the reconstruction of Gaza, according to reports first published by Axios.
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The development follows confirmation by Pakistan’s Foreign Office in January that the country had accepted an invitation from the United States to join the Gaza Board of Peace. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi had stated that Pakistan would continue to engage with international efforts aimed at achieving peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting resolution of the Palestine issue in line with United Nations resolutions. Pakistan has repeatedly conveyed at international forums its readiness to play a constructive role in any credible peace initiative related to Palestine.
The Gaza Board of Peace was formally launched by President Donald Trump in late January as a body intended to help resolve the conflict in Gaza, with Trump chairing the forum. While initially focused on Gaza, Trump later indicated that the board’s mandate could be expanded to address other global conflicts. The initiative has drawn mixed reactions internationally, with some governments joining and others adopting a cautious approach. Permanent membership on the board reportedly carries a cost of one billion dollars, a factor that has also influenced the response of various countries.
According to reports, at least one world leader has confirmed participation in the February 19 meeting. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated at a campaign event in western Hungary that he would travel to Washington to attend the Board of Peace meeting, underscoring the high-level nature of the gathering. However, several traditional Western allies of Washington have so far stayed away, while some Middle Eastern allies have joined the initiative.
The Gaza meeting is being convened against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire that began in October under a Trump-backed plan endorsed by Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. Despite the truce, the ceasefire has been repeatedly violated, with reports indicating that more than 550 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers have been killed since October. A United Nations Security Council resolution adopted in mid-November authorised the board and participating countries to help establish an international stabilisation force in Gaza under the terms of the ceasefire arrangement.
Under Trump’s Gaza plan, the Board of Peace was envisioned to supervise Gaza’s temporary governance, a provision that has drawn criticism from human rights experts and analysts. Several rights groups have expressed concern that a US-led board overseeing the affairs of a foreign territory resembles a colonial structure, while also criticising the initiative for not including direct Palestinian representation. A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not respond to requests for comment regarding the planned meeting.
Pakistan’s stance on Gaza has remained consistent, with its leadership emphasising diplomatic engagement rather than military involvement. In December 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan’s civil and military leadership was fully aligned on not sending troops to Gaza to disarm Hamas. Islamabad has instead focused on humanitarian support, diplomatic advocacy and participation in multilateral efforts aimed at achieving a durable and just peace.
As preparations continue for the February 19 meeting, sources indicated that the final composition of Pakistan’s delegation will be announced shortly. If Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attends, it would mark Pakistan’s highest-level participation in the US-led Gaza peace initiative, highlighting Islamabad’s intent to remain actively engaged in international efforts to stabilise Gaza and support a long-term solution to the Palestinian issue amid ongoing regional volatility.
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