WEB DESK: Senior Pakistani officials are set to meet with US counterparts this week, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarks on a critical mission to Washington. The prime minister’s visit is centered around the inaugural global summit of the Board of Peace (BoP), an initiative spearheaded by former US President Donald Trump that aims to redefine international conflict management beyond the ongoing war in Gaza.
At this summit, participants will focus on three key objectives: fortifying the ceasefire agreement for Gaza, mobilizing financial support from Washington, and finalizing the institutional framework of the Board, envisioned as a more agile alternative to existing multilateral frameworks. Discussions are also expected to address the creation of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), tasked with securing reconstruction areas and assisting in establishing post-conflict governance structures.
For Islamabad, one significant issue involves potential contributions from Pakistani forces to the ISF—a proposal that has sparked discussions between Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Sources indicate that several Muslim-majority countries are willing to support a stabilisation framework but are reluctant to take combat roles due to Hamas concerns.
Meanwhile, diplomatic sources suggest that many Muslim and Arab states remain hesitant about committing to any unilateral Israeli annexation moves in the West Bank and advocate for clear pathways toward Palestinian statehood. The BoP’s proposed structure—a compact leader-driven forum with an operational arm consisting of the ISF and a dedicated funding pool—reflects Washington’s preference for coalition-based arrangements outside the UN process.
Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US, UK, and UN, Maleeha Lodhi, has voiced reservations about the initiative. She argues that the absence of Palestinian representation raises concerns over its credibility. Her caution extends to externally imposed governance models, which she fears could reinforce old power hierarchies, particularly in Gaza.
The visit underscores broader foreign policy considerations for Pakistan. Former American University’s Ibn Khaldun Chair, Akbar Ahmed, described Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s trip as navigating between domestic and external pressures. At home, the prime minister must manage a delicate civil-military balance amid mounting security challenges, including concerns over former Premier Imran Khan’s health.
Internationally, Islamabad seeks to maintain equilibrium between its engagement with the Trump administration for access to American military and economic channels and its strategic partnership with China—a central player in both regional geopolitics and economics. Tensions along Pakistan’s borders with Afghanistan and India continue to pose challenges, requiring careful navigation of these relationships.
For the Trump administration, securing troop pledges for the ISF, attracting reconstruction funding, and building political backing for a US-led stabilisation model are critical objectives. For many Muslim and Arab states, participation hinges on assurances of a lasting ceasefire, credible pathways toward Palestinian statehood, and strict non-combat mandates for any multinational force.
As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif navigates these intersecting expectations, his role at the BoP summit will shape not only Pakistan’s position within this framework but also its broader international standing in post-conflict Gaza.