Islamabad, January 21, 2026: Pakistan has accepted an invitation from United States President Donald Trump to join the so-called “Board of Peace,” aimed at achieving what Washington describes as lasting peace in Gaza, the Foreign Office (FO) announced on Wednesday.
The invitation was extended last week as the Trump administration reached out to global leaders and key countries to participate in the proposed board and its related bodies, which are expected to oversee governance and reconstruction efforts in post-war Gaza.
“In response to the invitation extended to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif by the 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 in a statement.
The Foreign Office expressed hope that the creation of this framework would lead to “concrete steps towards the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, further scaling up of humanitarian assistance for the Palestinians, as well as the reconstruction of Gaza.”
Pakistan also reiterated its long-standing position on the Palestinian cause, stating that it hopes the initiative will contribute to the realization of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination through a “credible, time-bound political process,” consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions. The FO said this process should culminate in the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
“Pakistan looks forward to continuing to play a constructive role as part of the Board of Peace for the achievement of these goals, as well as to end the suffering of our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” the statement added.
President Trump first proposed the idea of establishing the Board of Peace in September last year while unveiling his plan to end the Gaza conflict. However, according to international media reports, a formal invitation circulated last week outlines a much broader mandate for the body, extending beyond Gaza to address conflicts globally.
A draft charter, reportedly sent to around 60 countries, calls on member states to contribute up to $1 billion in cash for membership lasting more than three years. The inclusion of a formal charter has raised concerns among some European governments, who fear it could undermine the role of the United Nations—an institution President Trump has repeatedly criticized for what he calls ineffective conflict-resolution efforts.
The Financial Times has reported that the Trump administration intends to expand the Board of Peace into a permanent global entity that could rival the UN. According to the draft charter seen by international news agencies, the board is envisioned as a “more nimble and effective international peace-building body,” to be chaired by President Trump himself.
The charter grants the chairman broad executive authority, including the power to appoint or remove member states, create or dissolve subsidiary bodies, and approve all board decisions. While rulings would be made by a majority vote of member states present and voting, they would remain subject to the chairman’s approval, effectively giving President Trump veto power. The document allows him to serve as chairman indefinitely, barring voluntary resignation or removal due to incapacity confirmed by a unanimous board vote.
So far, only a handful of countries—including Hungary, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates—have reportedly accepted the invitation without reservations, as debates continue internationally over the board’s mandate, structure, and implications for existing multilateral institutions.
