From bystander to boardroom: Pakistan invited to Trump’s Gaza peace panel

Pakistan joins Trump’s Gaza peace board

Pakistan claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been invited by US President Donald Trump to join the Board of Peace for Gaza, a new body announced by the White House as part of Washington’s latest push on the conflict.

The White House on Friday released the list of members appointed to the founding Executive Board, as the United States moved into the second phase of Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza. President Trump has already declared himself the chair of the panel.

Confirming the development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan had received a formal invitation after media queries sought clarity on Islamabad’s role.

“The Prime Minister of Pakistan has received the invitation from the President of the United States to join the Board of Peace on Gaza,” Andrabi said in a statement.

He added that Islamabad remained committed to diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilising the region.

“Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions,” he said.

The spokesperson did not provide further details on Pakistan’s prospective role or the next steps.

According to the White House, the Board of Peace brings together leaders with “experience across diplomacy, development, infrastructure, and economic strategy”. Heads of around 60 countries have been invited to participate, including Turkiye, Egypt, Argentina, Indonesia, Italy, Morocco, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Australia.

The panel also includes senior international and US figures such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British prime minister Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump’s senior negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

(With PTI inputs)