ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday called for an end to ceasefire violations by Israel so that Gaza’s reconstruction efforts advance, as he attended the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington.
Sharif’s visit comes at Trump’s invitation for the meeting, which will run from Feb. 18–20, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. The Pakistani premier is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar as well as other senior officials.
The Board of Peace, formed under a UN Security Council resolution following a fragile October 2025 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, is intended to oversee international stabilization and rebuilding efforts in Gaza after months of war.
The session began with Trump posing for photographs with world leaders gathered at the venue, including Sharif. The American president was flanked by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Vice President JD Vance and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, a member of the organization’s executive board.
“The people of Palestine have long endured illegal occupation and immense suffering,” Sharif said at the meeting.
“And to achieve long-lasting peace, it is very important that ceasefire violation must end to preserve lives and advance reconstruction efforts.”
Sharif said the people of Palestine must exercise “full control of their land and future” in line with the UN Security Council’s resolutions.
Earlier, Trump spoke at the gathering and praised Sharif as well as Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
“Prime Minister Sharif. I like this man of Pakistan,” Trump said, looking over at the Pakistani premier.
Trump mentioned India and Pakistan’s military altercation in May 2025, adding that he helped stop the confrontation by threatening to impose tariffs on both countries.
Pakistan formally joined the Board of Peace last month after Sharif signed its charter alongside other world leaders in Davos. The forum includes an eight-nation Muslim bloc comprising Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Islamabad hopes involvement in the forum will allow it to shape post-war governance arrangements while protecting Palestinian political rights.
Pakistan’s foreign office says the prime minister will also meet senior US leadership and other heads of government on the sidelines.
“The occasion will provide an opportunity for discussions on bilateral matters, as well as global issues of mutual concern,” the PMO said in an earlier statement.
