ISLAMABAD (MNN); Senior leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) on Friday expressed serious concerns over Pakistan’s reported participation in a proposed “Board of Peace” initiative spearheaded by US President Donald Trump, warning that it could undermine the role of the United Nations and negatively affect Palestinian interests.
The reservations were voiced after a meeting between JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and JUI-F head Maulana Fazlur Rehman at the latter’s residence in Islamabad, where national political matters and the situation in the Gaza Strip were discussed.
Addressing the media, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said a session of the so-called Board of Peace was scheduled for February 19 and alleged that the initiative aimed to sideline the United Nations. He stated that Pakistan’s involvement in such a forum was inappropriate under any circumstances and accused global powers of trivialising the Palestinian cause. He further claimed that Pakistan’s rulers were complicit in the process.
He announced that a nationwide mobilisation campaign would begin after Eidul Fitr, warning that if the government continued what he termed subservience to the United States, opposition forces would take to the streets.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said Pakistan had accepted membership of the board and agreed to attend its meeting, which he said had triggered alarm among religious and political circles. He expressed concern that the government might be pressured into sending forces to Gaza and stressed that Pakistan should avoid becoming entangled in any conflict that could harm both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He warned that if the government failed to address their concerns, religious and political parties would mobilise public protests in the coming days.
A day earlier, the Foreign Office confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would attend the upcoming meeting of the US-led Board of Peace in Washington.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated that the prime minister would lead Pakistan’s delegation at the February 19 meeting to be held at the US Institute of Peace and would be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He added that further details about the delegation and itinerary would be shared later.
Pakistan is among the founding members of the Board of Peace, formed last month after a charter was signed on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The body has been proposed under President Trump’s Gaza peace plan and is tasked with supporting post-ceasefire stabilisation and conflict resolution efforts.
Responding to concerns about the absence of Gaza’s representation and Israel’s role in the board, Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan joined the initiative in good faith as part of a collective group of eight Islamic-Arab countries. He reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue advocating for Palestinian rights and a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital.
