ISLAMABAD (MNN); Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Friday defended the government’s decision to join US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, describing Pakistan’s participation alongside brother Muslim countries as a major diplomatic achievement.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was among leaders and senior officials from 19 countries who signed the founding charter of the Board of Peace in Davos on Thursday. The move has drawn strong criticism from opposition parties.
The initiative was originally proposed by President Trump last September as part of a plan to end the Gaza conflict. While initially focused on post-war peace in Gaza following Israel’s prolonged military campaign, the board’s charter envisions a broader role in resolving international conflicts.
The issue came under debate during a joint session of Parliament, convened by President Asif Ali Zardari and chaired by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
Speaking amid opposition protests, Iqbal said Pakistan’s presence on the global stage should be celebrated as a diplomatic win. Recalling Pakistan’s nuclear tests in 1998, he said the country had resisted international pressure in the past and would continue to safeguard its sovereignty.
“We do not need lessons on Pakistan’s defence and integrity,” he asserted, adding that under the PML-N government there could be no compromise on national sovereignty.
The minister said the government and armed forces had already demonstrated their resolve during a four-day conflict with India in May, proving that any aggression would be met with a strong response.
Referring to the Palestine issue, Iqbal said expressing sympathy in Parliament was easy, but Muslim countries had taken a collective initiative to stop bloodshed in Gaza. He accused the opposition of refusing to acknowledge the peace welcomed by the people of Palestine.
Iqbal argued that had Pakistan stayed out of the initiative, critics would have accused the country of diplomatic isolation. He questioned whether other Muslim countries that joined the board had done so to harm Palestinian interests.
He reiterated that Pakistan’s moral stance remained unchanged, describing Israel as an aggressor and stating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had Muslim and Palestinian blood on his hands.
“Our position is the same as that of the people of Pakistan. We believe the state of Palestine is the right of the Palestinian people,” he said, adding that Pakistan had supported this stance in the past and continued to do so.
Iqbal credited the role of eight Muslim countries working with the Trump administration for the halt in bombardment in Gaza, saying the ceasefire allowed Palestinians to begin rebuilding their lives.
Opposition criticism
Earlier, Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas criticised the government for joining the Board of Peace without consulting Parliament, claiming the move would worsen the suffering of Palestinians.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also opposed the decision, alleging it was taken out of fear of President Trump and accusing the US of strengthening Israel against Muslim countries, including Iran.
JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza submitted an adjournment motion in the Senate, seeking debate on Pakistan’s inclusion in the board without parliamentary or cabinet approval. He termed the move contrary to the principles of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Parliament adopts resolution on Gul Plaza tragedy
During the joint session, lawmakers unanimously passed a resolution expressing solidarity with the victims of the Gul Plaza fire in Karachi, which claimed at least 67 lives.
The resolution acknowledged shortcomings that turned the incident into a mass tragedy and urged the Sindh government to introduce systemic reforms to prevent similar disasters.
Parliament offered condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the recovery of the injured, and paid tribute to firefighter Furqan Ali, who lost his life during rescue operations.
It called for compensation to victims’ families, immediate recovery of affected businesses, a citywide fire safety audit, expansion of fire stations and equipment, and federal assistance to Sindh in managing the crisis.
Sherry Rehman urges federal support for Karachi
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman supported the resolution, calling the tragedy heartbreaking and stressing the need for resource allocation in line with population size.
Responding to MQM-P’s demand for federal control of Karachi, she urged political restraint and appealed for cooperation instead of politicising the tragedy.
Three bills passed
The joint session also passed three bills: the Daanish Schools Authority Bill 2025, the Human Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill 2025.
The opposition staged a protest inside the House, after which the session was adjourned for an indefinite period.
Achakzai condemns arrest of Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chattha
Opposition leader in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai condemned the arrest of activist-lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, calling it a violation of the Constitution.
He said freedom of expression and civil liberties were being continuously curtailed and demanded their immediate release along with a transparent and impartial inquiry.
