Monday, 19 January, 2026 | 29 Rajabul Murajjab, 1447
In partnership with
Profit
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 195 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PAKISTAN INVITED TO JOIN US-LED GAZA BOARD OF PEACE TO OVERSEE POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION g
PRESIDENT TRUMP EXTENDS FORMAL INVITATION TO PM SHEHBAZ, UNDERSCORING ISLAMABAD’S ONGOING ENGAGEMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS FOR PEACE AND STABILITY IN GAZA
P
ISLAMABAD
staff report
AKISTAN has been invited to join the newly announced US-led Gaza Board of Peace (BoP), a high-level international mechanism tasked with supervising Gaza’s reconstruction, transition governance, and the disarmament of Hamas, the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed on Sunday. Responding to media queries, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the invitation was extended by US President Donald Trump to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, underscoring Islamabad’s ongoing engagement with international efforts for peace and stability in Gaza. “Pakistan will remain actively engaged with global initiatives aimed at peace and security in Gaza, leading toward a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions,” he stated.
g
High-profile membership and global outreach The White House officially unveiled the structure and membership of the BoP, describing it as a global mechanism to manage Gaza’s post-war transition. Western diplomats likened the initiative to “a kind of mini-UN,” initially focused on Gaza but potentially expandable to other conflict zones. Founding executive members of the BoP include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law. Other members include Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management; World Bank President Ajay Banga; and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel. Leaders from more than 60 countries have been invited to serve on the Peace Council, with confirmations from Canada and Argentina. Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan have also received formal invitations, with consultations ongoing.
WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED BOP TASKED WITH GAZA RECONSTRUCTION, GOVERNANCE, AND HAMAS DISARMAMENT
Governance, security, and reconstruction in Gaza Under the US plan, Gaza will be governed during a transition period by a Palestinian technocratic administration — the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) — headed by Dr Ali Sha’ath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister from Khan Younis. The NCAG will restore public services, rebuild civil institutions, and stabilise daily life while preparing the ground for long-term governance. Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov has been appointed High Representative for Gaza, serving as the primary link between the BoP and the NCAG, with executive authority on the ground. Security responsibilities will fall to an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers, which will oversee security operations, support demilitarisation, and facilitate safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials. A Gaza Executive Board has also been formed to assist governance and service delivery, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, Egypt’s General Hassan Rashad, UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, Dutch diplomat Sigrid Kaag, and Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay, alongside several BoP members.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03