PM Shehbaz to Represent Pakistan at US Board of Peace
The Foreign Office confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to the United States to participate in the upcoming meeting of the Board of Peace. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will accompany him.
FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi shared the update during the weekly press briefing, stating that further details regarding the delegation and itinerary would be disclosed later.
Pakistan is among 14 founding members that signed the Board of Peace charter in January on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The body, formally established last month, operates under a US-deposited charter, with its headquarters designated at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington.
Board’s Mandate and Global Debate
The Board of Peace was authorised through a UN Security Council resolution in November 2025 to help oversee stabilisation efforts in Gaza following a ceasefire. Although initially focused on Gaza’s temporary governance, its mandate has since expanded to address broader global conflicts.
However, the initiative has faced criticism from rights experts who argue that a US-led board managing foreign territories resembles a colonial framework. Concerns have also been raised about the absence of Palestinian representation.
Responding to these questions, Andrabi said Pakistan joined the board in good faith and as part of a collective group of Islamic-Arab countries. He emphasised that Pakistan would continue advocating for the rights of Palestinians and reiterated support for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al Sharif as the capital of Palestine.
When asked about Israel’s potential participation, the FO stated that it was Israel’s own decision and Pakistan would continue engaging constructively.
Remarks on India-Pakistan Conflict
During the briefing, Andrabi also addressed comments by former US President Donald Trump regarding aircraft losses during the May 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India.
He reiterated Pakistan’s appreciation for US efforts aimed at preventing escalation during the brief conflict. Referring to fighter jet claims, he maintained that Pakistan had shot down several Indian Rafale aircraft, stating that supporting evidence had been reported internationally.
He added that Pakistan’s response during the conflict demonstrated its conventional deterrence capability and warned that any future aggression would be met firmly.
Cricket and Diplomacy
On the subject of cricket diplomacy, Andrabi rejected suggestions of back-channel negotiations influencing Pakistan’s decision to play a T20 World Cup match against India after initially signalling a boycott.
He described the politicisation of cricket as unfortunate and said the government’s final decision to play reflected goodwill, particularly after engagement with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He maintained that sports should not be used as a political tool and stressed respect for the spirit of the game.
