Pakistan's PM calls for independent Palestinian state at Gaza Peace Board

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Thursday that the establishment of a free and sovereign Palestinian state is the legitimate right of the Palestinian people and essential for lasting peace in Gaza and the wider Middle East.

Addressing the inaugural meeting of the Gaza Peace Board in Washington, chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump, Sharif said achieving a durable peace in Gaza is Pakistan’s mission.

“It is an honor to participate in the inaugural session of the Gaza Peace Board. Sustainable peace in Gaza is our mission. The creation of a free and sovereign Palestinian state is essential for lasting peace and is the rightful claim of the Palestinian people,” the prime minister said.

He expressed hope that the international community would succeed in securing enduring peace in Gaza, calling the day a “golden chapter in history” for Middle East peace efforts.

Sharif stressed that Palestinians must be granted their rights in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. He also called for an immediate end to ceasefire violations in Gaza, saying a durable truce is critical for regional stability.

Praising Trump’s role in resolving conflicts, the prime minister said timely diplomatic interventions had helped prevent wider confrontations, including tensions in South Asia. He said such interventions had saved thousands of lives and averted large-scale destruction.

Trump, in his remarks, said there was no alternative to the Gaza Peace Board in terms of its objectives and importance, and pledged to ensure the United Nations remains effective in pursuing peace.

Background

Sharif’s participation came amid strong protests by opposition parties in Pakistan’s Senate. Lawmakers staged a walkout and raised slogans during a recent session, criticizing the government’s foreign policy and questioning the transparency of the Gaza Peace Board.

Opposition leaders demanded that the government take Parliament into confidence over its diplomatic engagements, particularly regarding Gaza and regional security matters. Some argued that while support for the Palestinian cause enjoys broad national consensus, lawmakers should be briefed on the scope, commitments, and implications of Pakistan’s involvement.

The government said Pakistan’s stance on Palestine remains consistent and principled, rooted in support for a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Sharif as its capital, in line with relevant UN resolutions.