Amid sharp criticism from opposition benches in the National Assembly on Thursday, the government defended its decision to join US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace”, arguing that the move was made in the interest of the Palestinian people.
Initially proposed as a mechanism to oversee peace efforts in Gaza following Israel’s two-year war on the enclave, the board’s founding charter also outlines a broader mandate aimed at addressing international disputes.
A signing ceremony for the charter was held in Davos, Switzerland, where leaders and senior officials from 19 countries — including Pakistan — appeared alongside President Trump to formally endorse the initiative.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said Pakistan had consistently maintained a principled stance on Palestine and had raised the issue at global forums. He insisted the decision to join the board was driven by national interest and the collective priorities of the Muslim Ummah, rather than domestic political considerations.
Referring to UN Security Council resolutions calling for a permanent ceasefire and the reconstruction of Gaza, the minister said Pakistan’s participation was intended to support those objectives while protecting both Palestinian and Pakistani interests. He urged lawmakers not to turn the issue into political point-scoring and called for unity and consensus.
However, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly opposed the move, warning against becoming part of any initiative that could lead to the disarmament of Hamas. He argued that those responsible for Palestinian suffering were themselves part of the board, and said expecting peace from Trump was “living in a fool’s paradise”.
Fazlur Rehman questioned the legitimacy of the board, noting that Trump chaired it and selected its members, while also raising concerns about the absence of accountability and transparency. He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should not be sitting on such a platform, and declared the board unacceptable “under any circumstances”.
He further pointed to continued bombardment in Gaza and alleged that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would be seen “shoulder to shoulder” with Netanyahu through Pakistan’s participation. Citing heavy casualties and widespread displacement, he said tens of thousands of civilians had been killed, many had died of hunger, and countless others had been left homeless.
The JUI-F leader also criticised the government for failing to consult parliament, asking whether even the cabinet had been taken into confidence. He questioned why a new body was being created despite the existence of the United Nations and its Security Council, suggesting it resembled a parallel authority. He also accused the US of leaving destruction in its wake in countries where it had intervened, including Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan echoed the concerns, saying the prime minister joined the initiative without consultation and that parliament must be informed of the terms and conditions of Pakistan’s participation. He questioned whether the board’s agenda included disarming Hamas and stressed that, unlike a UN body, the government could not act unilaterally in joining such a forum.
PTI calls for withdrawal, demands consultations
Speaking to Dawn, PTI leader Asad Qaiser criticised the government for taking what he described as a highly sensitive decision without consensus, warning it could damage Pakistan’s relations with Muslim countries and undermine solidarity with Palestinians.
PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said Pakistanis stood firmly with the Palestinian people, and noted that there was no Palestinian representation on the Board of Peace. He said any outcome unacceptable to Palestinians would also be unacceptable to the PTI, and alleged that Trump’s ambitions extended beyond Gaza and could be aimed at sidelining the United Nations.
In a formal statement, the PTI rejected the government’s decision and said major foreign policy moves should be made transparently and through consultation with all key political stakeholders. The party argued that Pakistan’s role in any peace initiative should strengthen the UN-led multilateral system rather than create alternative power structures.
Reaffirming its support for Palestinians, the PTI reiterated its demand for an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital, describing this as consistent with Pakistan’s commitment to human rights and international law.
The party urged the government to withdraw from any formal participation in the board until a full consultative process is completed. It called for parliamentary scrutiny and debate, consultation with political leadership — including party founder Imran Khan — and even proposed a referendum to ensure public confidence.
PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar also criticised the government’s swift decision, calling it “inappropriate” and “beyond comprehension”, and said parliament should have been briefed on all details. He reiterated that the PTI would not support any agreement that violated Palestinian rights or went against the wishes of the Palestinian people.