PM Shehbaz to attend inaugural session of Trump’s Board of Peace on Gaza today

2026-02-19 - 04:03

WASHINGTON – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Washington to attend the inaugural session of the Board of Peace, established by the US President Donald Trump for ending conflict and reconstruction of Gaza. The meeting is set to take place today, 19 February 2026 and the premier will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with other ministers and senior officials. The inaugural session is expected to be attended by the representatives from nearly 50 countries while the European Union will send delegates. Ahead of the meeting, the White House has announced that the Board of Peace member states have pledged $5 billion towards the Gaza humanitarian and reconstruction efforts. During the meeting, PM Shehbaz will also seek clarity on Gaza peace force as the next steps to be taken under the Trump’s 20-point peace plan included the formation of the international stabilization force. It will ensure peace in the enclave and disarm Hamas. Dar Expresses Solidarity with Palestinians A day earlier, Ishaq Dar, while addressing the UN Security Council, expressed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Palestinians. The Deputy Prime Minister said Pakistan stands with people of Palestine in their legitimate pursuit of right to self-determination, dignity and freedom. Ishaq Dar said Pakistan remains fully engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at permanent cessation of hostilities and a just resolution of the conflict. He said Pakistan also appreciates peace efforts led by US President Donald Trump. He said Israel’s continued ceasefire violations, annexation attempts and illegal actions across the Occupied Palestinian Territories continue to undermine these efforts and threaten prospects for a just and lasting peace. No Diplomatic Ties with Israel On Wednesday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif dismissed the possibility of Pakistan establishing diplomatic ties with Israel, suggesting that such a decision could only be reconsidered in the future if Palestinians achieve the establishment of an independent state. Pakistan has long maintained a policy of not recognizing Israel, standing firmly in support of a sovereign Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. In response to a question from France 24 about the possibility of Pakistan following the example of other Muslim nations that have moved towards normalizing relations with Israel, Asif stated, “I don’t foresee Pakistan even contemplating this option.”