Pakistan to promote ceasefire, humanitarian access and reconstruction in Gaza during February 19 talks
US President Donald Trump shares a lighter moment with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while presenting the ‘Peace Council’ on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos. Photo: Express
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Washington on February 18 to represent Pakistan at the first leaders’ meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Peace Council, diplomatic sources said. The Express PK Press Club Tuesday.
The inaugural board meeting will take place on February 19 and will be chaired by President Trump. A foreign ministry source said Pakistan had received an official invitation and was likely to attend, although an official announcement is still awaited.
Diplomatic sources previously said the meeting would focus on the situation in Gaza, including efforts to restore peace and stability, maintain a ceasefire, ensure humanitarian access and outline a road map for post-conflict reconstruction.
Pakistan’s participation is seen as part of a broader effort to contribute to regional peace and seek a speedy and just resolution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Islamabad has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian assistance and a political process based on international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Read: US plans to convene Gaza ‘Peace Council’ on February 19, Axios reports
The officials said Pakistan would reiterate its long-standing support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Pakistan officially joined the US-led Peace Council last month at a ceremony in Davos on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. The initiative, announced by President Trump last year, initially focused on rebuilding Gaza after the Israel-Hamas conflict, but has since expanded to other conflict-affected areas.
Officials said one of the main goals of the Washington meeting was to raise funds for the reconstruction of Gaza. More than 20 countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Argentina and Hungary, are members of the board.
