Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has received an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join a newly proposed international Board of Peace focused on Gaza, underscoring a fast-moving diplomatic effort to shape post-war transition arrangements. Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan is reported among the named participants. The rapid rollout has prompted debate among diplomats and analysts over legal mandate, multilateral coordination and practical authority. A broadcast cited unverified intelligence sources in India as suggesting Pakistan’s role would be “largely symbolic and narrative-driven with minimal operational influence on Gaza outcomes”; that characterization remains unconfirmed. Key questions now concern the BoP’s legal basis, its interface with the United Nations and whether major regional players will endorse an outside-led vehicle for reconstruction and governance in Gaza.

Source: Hindustan Times January 19, 2026 07:10 UTC