Profit TRUMP INVITES GLOBAL LEADERS TO JOIN GAZA ‘BOARD OF PEACE’ In partnership with
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 194 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
g BOARD TO SUPERVISE TEMPORARY BOP FOR POSTCONFLICT GAZA BEGAN TO TAKE SHAPE, WITH LEADERS OF EGYPT, TURKIYE, GOVERNANCE OF GAZA, WHICH HAS BEEN UNDER A FRAGILE CEASEFIRE ARGENTINA AND CANADA ASKED TO JOIN
STEP COMES AFTER A PALESTINIAN COMMITTEE OF TECHNOCRATS MEANT TO GOVERN GAZA HELD ITS FIRST MEETING IN CAIRO
Gaza administration committee holds first meeting in Cairo GAZA
agencies
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WASHINGTON agencies
NITED States President Donald Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace” for postconflict Gaza began to take shape, with the leaders of Egypt, Turkiye, Argentina and Canada asked to join. The board is set to supervise the temporary governance of Gaza, which has been under a fragile ceasefire since October and lies in rubble after two-plus years of relentless Israeli bombardment. Trump had named members of the board a day ago. The step came after a
Palestinian committee of technocrats meant to govern Gaza held its first meeting in Cairo, which was attended by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, who plays a key role in the Middle East. He has already declared himself the chair of a “Board of Peace” and announced its full membership that will include former British prime minister Tony Blair, as well as senior Americans, Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, Trump’s business partner turned globe-trotting negotiator. Turkish presidential communications director Burhanettin Duran posted on social media that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received the proposal in a letter sent
The first session of the Gaza Administration Committee convened Friday in Cairo, Egyptian media reported, marking a significant step toward managing civil administration and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip. The initial meeting of the Palestinian National Committee, tasked with overseeing Gaza’s governance, focused on relief efforts and post-conflict reconstruction plans. The committee, recently formed as a technocratic body, comprises Palestinian members selected to manage civil affairs. Its formation follows US Middle East Envoy Steve a day ago by Trump, inviting him to “become a founding member” of the board. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Cairo was “studying” a request for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to join. Meanwhile, a senior aide told AFP today that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has also been invited by Trump to join the board, an offer he intends to ac-
Witkoff’s announcement of phase two of the US Gaza plan, based on outcomes from talks among Palestinian factions held in Cairo on Wednesday. Phase two envisions a Peace Council framework combining the Palestinian technocratic committee with an international stabilisation force to facilitate Gaza’s transition. Under this arrangement, the technocratic body would handle civil administration and essential services as Israeli forces withdraw, while the international force ensures temporary security and stability. The framework is reportedly intended to operate under a Peace Council led by US President Donald Trump, supported by a UN Security Council resolution. cept. The senior Canadian government official did not provide further details. Sharing an image of the invitation letter, Argentine President Javier Milei wrote on X that it would be “an honour” to participate in the initiative. Separately, Blair said he was “honoured” to be tapped by Trump to the fledgling board.
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Dense fog claims 14 lives as truck plunges into canal in Sargodha SARGODHA
staff report
At least 14 people, including women and children, were killed on Saturday after a mini-truck carrying a family plunged into a dry canal in Punjab’s Sargodha district amid dense fog, highlighting once again the deadly toll of poor visibility and unsafe travel during winter conditions. The accident occurred near Ghalapur Bangla in Kot Momin tehsil, where heavy fog had severely reduced visibility. Rescue officials said the truck veered off the road and fell into a canal while navigating a local route, taken after the motorway was closed due to foggy conditions. According to rescue authorities, seven people died on the spot, while several others sustained critical injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. Another seven victims later succumbed to their injuries during treatment, bringing the total death toll to 14. At the time of the accident, 23 people were travelling in the truck. The passengers were en route from Islamabad to Faisalabad to attend a funeral. Due to the closure of the motorway, the driver opted for an alternative route, which proved fatal under lowvisibility conditions. Rescue teams reached the site soon after receiving information about the crash and launched relief operations. The bodies of the deceased and the injured were shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, where emergency measures were put in place. Those who lost their lives were identified as Misri Khan, Haleema Bibi, Yaseen, Sonia Bibi, Pathani Bibi, Hania, Iman Fatima, Rani Bibi, Haris, Waseem, Horain, Aamna, Hareem Fatima and Saqlain. The injured were identified as Hasnain, Saqlain, Zaheer, Mumtaz, Kashif, Nadeem, Shamim, Nadia and Parveen. Rescue officials said all the victims belonged to Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He directed the relevant authorities to ensure strict enforcement of traffic laws on national highways and ordered enhanced monitoring and implementation of precautionary measures to safeguard public safety amid persistent foggy conditions. The incident adds to a growing number of fatal accidents reported across Punjab during the winter season, as dense fog continues to disrupt road travel and expose gaps in road safety and traffic management.