WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Washington on Thursday for a three-day official visit to attend the inaugural session of the Gaza Board of Peace at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaches Washington D.C to attend the inaugural session of Board of Peace. pic.twitter.com/D4D7uifnqZ
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 19, 2026
Read More: PM Shehbaz attends inaugural Board of Peace session
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar are accompanying the premier. Officials said the visit will include engagements with senior US leadership and counterparts from participating countries, offering an opportunity to discuss bilateral ties and global issues of mutual concern.
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا دورہء امریکہ
امریکی صدر ڈونلڈ ٹرمپ کی جانب سے بورڈ آف پیس میں شرکت کی دعوت پر وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف اپنے دورہء امریکہ پر واشنگٹن پہنچ گئے
نائب وزیرِ اعظم و وزیرِ خارجہ اسحاق ڈار، وزیرِ خزانہ محمد اورنگزیب، وزیرِ اطلاعات و نشریات عطاء اللہ تارڑ… pic.twitter.com/wphuDR7dPO
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 19, 2026
The summit is being held at the newly designated Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace and will focus on advancing the next phase of a Gaza cease-fire while launching a coordinated international fundraising drive to rebuild critical infrastructure and civilian services in the war-torn enclave.
Leaders and senior representatives from more than 20 countries are attending, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan, Turkey, Hungary, Morocco, Kosovo and Albania. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently secured board membership, is not participating in the inaugural meeting.
The gathering follows a rare joint statement by the foreign ministers of eight Muslim-majority countries condemning new Israeli settlement plans in the West Bank as violations of international law that could undermine prospects for durable peace in Gaza.
Media reports have described Israel’s inclusion in the Gaza Peace Board as contentious because it is a direct party to the conflict and would help oversee compliance with a cease-fire it is implementing. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said the “complete and immediate” disarmament of Hamas is essential for any lasting settlement, describing the Board of Peace as a potentially transformative global institution.
Read More: PM to seek clarity from US on troops for Gaza, sources say
Officials said the body will supervise postwar stabilization, recovery and possible deployment of an international security force, with Pakistan viewed as a potential contributor given its peacekeeping experience. Permanent membership reportedly requires a $1 billion fee.