Washington, February 8, 2026: Pakistan is expected to participate in the first proposed meeting of US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” (BoP) on Gaza, scheduled to be held in Washington on February 19, according to diplomatic sources cited by Dawn.
The meeting, part of efforts to formalize the board, will focus on establishing its structure, mandate, and secretariat. Sources emphasized that discussions on potential troop contributions to an international stabilization force in Gaza are premature, with the priority currently being the board’s organization and direction.
Pakistan is one of 14 founding members of the BoP, having signed its charter on January 22 during the World Economic Forum in Davos. The board, initially proposed in September 2025 and formally established last month, has its official headquarters at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, with the US government serving as its depository.
The White House has indicated that the first meeting will be hosted at the US Institute of Peace and may include a fundraising component for Gaza’s reconstruction, although plans remain fluid. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Trump at the White House on February 18, a day before the board meeting.
Trump, who will chair the board, has described it as a mechanism to resolve global conflicts. However, the initiative has drawn criticism from experts and scholars, who warn it could undermine the United Nations and other established multilateral mechanisms. Many traditional Western allies have so far stayed away, reflecting concerns over the board’s mandate and structure.
For Pakistan, attendance represents a cautious diplomatic approach. Islamabad, a long-standing supporter of Palestinian rights, seeks to engage in international discussions on Gaza while avoiding actions that could be interpreted as endorsing external control over the territory.
A UN Security Council resolution in mid-November authorized the BoP and cooperating states to establish an international stabilization force in Gaza following the October ceasefire under a Trump-backed plan accepted by Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire, however, has remained fragile, with over 550 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers killed since October. Human rights organizations report that Israeli assaults since October 2023 have killed more than 71,000 Palestinians, displaced the population, and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis.
While the BoP was originally intended to supervise Gaza’s temporary governance, it has since been expanded to address global conflicts. Critics argue that a US-led board overseeing a foreign territory, without Palestinian representation, risks resembling a colonial structure.
Pakistan’s participation signals a desire to remain engaged in forums shaping Gaza’s future while reserving its position on key issues such as governance, accountability, and any potential military involvement. Officials stress that Islamabad will continue to uphold its commitment to Palestinian self-determination and international law as the board moves from concept to implementation.
