Pakistan torn over Gaza seat as Davos clock ticks

President Trump has invited dozens of world leaders to join Gaza board

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has yet to decide whether it will join President Donald Trump's proposed Board of Peace for Gaza, even as a signing ceremony to formally establish the body is scheduled to take place in Davos on Thursday (tomorrow), diplomatic sources told The Express Tribune here on Tuesday.

Foreign Office sources said no final decision has so far been taken by Islamabad on whether to become part of the controversial initiative, which is being spearheaded by the US president and is linked to his administration's 20-point Gaza peace plan.

When contacted, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said he had nothing to add beyond what the ministry had already stated publicly on the matter. "There is nothing more to share at this stage," he told The Express Tribune.

The Foreign Office on Sunday confirmed that President Trump had invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to join the Board of Peace, which is envisaged as an oversight and implementation mechanism for the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire and post-war reconstruction.

A senior government official said the decision would be "critical either way", given the political, diplomatic and financial implications associated with joining the board. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said consultations were under way "at the highest level" to assess the pros and cons before a final call is made.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has travelled to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF). However, it remains unclear whether he will participate in the signing ceremony of the Board of Peace Charter, which is expected to be held on Thursday (tomorrow) morning.

Pakistan was among eight Arab and other Muslim countries that previously backed President Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan, a factor that has led some observers to believe that Islamabad's eventual decision to join the Board of Peace may not come as a surprise.

"A signing ceremony to formalise President Trump's Board of Peace will be held Thursday in Davos, Switzerland," according to the White House schedule. Trump is expected to meet several global leaders on the sidelines of the WEF before presiding over the signing of the charter.

The board, which will be headed by Trump himself, is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the peace plan and coordinating the reconstruction of post-war Gaza. The initiative has drawn global attention as well as criticism, particularly over its composition and funding model.

Trump has extended membership offers to several heads of state, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to US officials. Leaders of the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, France, Brazil, Egypt, Turkey and Argentina have also received invitations, though it remains unclear how many countries in total were approached.

The inclusion of Israel in the invitation list has proven particularly controversial, given that the board would oversee a ceasefire process in which Israel is a direct party. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly accept the offer, and Israeli officials have previously indicated that the body does not align with Israel's stated policy on Gaza.

France has already signalled reluctance to participate. An official close to French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris does not intend to join the board "at this stage". Trump responded dismissively to the development, telling reporters on Monday that "nobody wants him anyway because he's going to be out of office very soon".

He also threatened to impose a "200% tariff" on French wines and champagne, suggesting that such pressure would eventually compel Macron to accept the invitation. "But he doesn't have to join," Trump added.

According to the White House, other executive members of the board include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and billionaire investors Robert Gabriel and Marc Rowan.

The initiative has also raised eyebrows due to reports that the US administration has tied a $1 billion membership fee to countries seeking permanent seats on the board. The funds would be used to support reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. Three-year appointments, however, would not carry the mandatory fee, a US official familiar with the charter told The Associated Press.

For Pakistan, analysts say the decision involves balancing diplomatic alignment with Washington, solidarity with the Palestinian cause, and regional sensitivities. As the Davos signing approaches, Islamabad's final stance remains closely watched both at home and abroad.