Pakistan and seven other Muslim-majority countries have announced their decision to join United States (US) President Donald Trump’s Gaza “Board of Peace”.

 

 

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar welcomed the invitation extended to their leaders by Trump.

 

 

“The ministers announce their countries’ shared decision to join the Board of Peace. Each country will sign the joining documents according to its respective relevant legal and other necessary procedures, including Egypt, Pakistan, and the UAE, that have already announced to join,” the statement said.

 

 

All eight countries had previously collaborated with Trump in October last year on a plan to end the genocide in Gaza. The UAE had confirmed its participation on Tuesday, while Pakistan and Egypt announced their decisions on Wednesday.

 

 

“The ministers reiterate their countries’ support for the peace efforts led by President Trump, and reaffirm their countries’ commitment to supporting the implementation of the mission of the Board of Peace as a transitional administration, as set out in the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict and endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, aimed at consolidating a permanent ceasefire, supporting the reconstruction of Gaza, and advancing a just and lasting peace grounded in 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 of the region,” the joint statement added.

 

 

Meanwhile, deputy prime minister (PM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s position on Gaza.

 

 

“Pakistan has been and will continue to work with our brotherly Arab-Islamic countries for lasting peace in Gaza and for ensuring the right to self-determination of our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” he said in a statement on X.

 

 

Earlier, the Foreign Office (FO) had confirmed Pakistan’s acceptance of the US invitation.

 

 

“In response to the invitation extended to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif by President of the United States Donald J. Trump, Pakistan would like to announce its decision to join the Board of Peace as part of its ongoing efforts to support the implementation of the Gaza peace plan under the framework of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803,” the FO said.

It added that Pakistan hoped that with the creation of this framework, concrete steps will be taken towards the implementation of a permanent ceasefire.

 

 

“Pakistan also hopes that these efforts will lead to the realisation of the right to self-determination of the people of Palestine, through a credible, time-bound political process, consistent with international legitimacy and relevant UN resolutions, resulting in the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital,” the statement read, adding that the country looked forward to continuing to play a constructive role as part of the Board of Peace for the achievement of said goals.

 

 

Trump had initially proposed the Board of Peace in September to address the Gaza genocide.

 

 

A draft charter circulated last week to around 60 countries outlined its global ambitions. According to the document, members wishing to remain for more than three years would need to contribute $1 billion.

 

 

The charter grants the US president broad authority, including the ability to appoint and remove member states and create subsidiary entities. It also allows Trump to serve as chairman indefinitely, with rulings made by a majority of the member states present and voting, subject to the approval of the chairman.

 

 

The draft also criticised current international structures and called for pragmatic approaches to achieve lasting peace.