By Khushal Khan

Pakistan’s decision to join the newly formed Board of Peace on Gaza marks a significant diplomatic step aimed at advancing peace, justice and reconstruction for the Palestinian people, while reinforcing Islamabad’s long-standing commitment to international law and multilateral engagement.

Pakistan joined the initiative officially on Thursday at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos on the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, with officials making clear that the country’s participation is driven by a single objective: to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, protect Palestinian people  and contribute to a credible pathway toward peace in Palestine.

The Board of Peace framework is focused on implementing a Gaza peace plan in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions. Central to the initiative is the reconstruction of Gaza, including the rebuilding of homes, hospitals and schools, restoration of water and electricity systems, revival of livelihoods, and the return of dignity to Palestinian civilian life after months of devastation, where Israeli forces martyred thousands of innocent Palestinian people including women and children.

Pakistan is also part of a diverse group of countries supporting the initiative, including Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Bahrain, Morocco, Argentina, Hungary and the United States. The presence of multiple Muslim-majority states, diplomats say, ensures that Palestinian rights, statehood and self-determination remain at the heart of the process rather than being sidelined.

Islamabad has reiterated that its core position on Palestine remains unchanged. Pakistan continues to support the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, and firmly rejects occupation, collective punishment and violations of international humanitarian law.

This stance was acknowledged during a meeting on the sidelines of the forum, where the Palestinian prime minister personally thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan’s unwavering and consistent support for Gaza. The Palestinian leadership praised Pakistan’s vocal opposition to the ongoing genocide and its sustained advocacy for Palestinian rights at international forums.

A moment of repect and diplomatic recognition

The Thursday’s signing ceremony also carried symbolic weight for Pakistan’s broader global standing. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif exchanged warm greetings with President Trump, while a gesture by the U.S. president toward Pakistan Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, a public thumbs-up, was widely interpreted as recognition of Pakistan’s leadership, institutions and role on the international stage.

Shaping outcomes, not watching from afar

Pakistani officials stress that joining the Board of Peace is about influence, not optics. “Pakistan chose presence over silence,” a senior diplomat said, noting that engagement allows Islamabad to help shape decisions rather than leaving Gaza’s future to be debated without meaningful representation from the Muslim world.

The government has also moved to address domestic concerns, clarifying that participation in the Board does not imply automatic military involvement or commitment to any stabilization force. Any future security role, officials say, would only be considered under a clear United Nations mandate, aligned with Pakistan’s national interest and the expressed wishes of the Palestinian people.

Pakistan’s approach reflects its broader foreign policy doctrine: strategic autonomy, rejection of bloc politics, and constructive engagement with all major powers without compromising on core principles.

As diplomatic efforts around Gaza evolve, Pakistan’s entry into the Board of Peace positions it as an active stakeholder in the search for a just and lasting solution. For Islamabad, the message is clear, peace in Palestine cannot be negotiated in the absence of those who have consistently stood for Palestinian rights, international law and human dignity.