Opposition demands charter disclosure, parliamentary approval for Gaza Peace Board
Pakistan’s opposition parties have strongly opposed the country’s reported participation in the Gaza Peace Board initiated by former US President Donald Trump, demanding that the agreement’s terms be made public and debated in Parliament.
Addressing the National Assembly, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticized the proposed forum, calling it an alliance of “power, wealth, and authoritarianism.” He questioned Pakistan’s engagement in a peace initiative that includes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he accused of responsibility for tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths. Fazlur Rehman argued that expecting peace from those involved in violence was unrealistic and urged the government to respect Pakistan’s historical stance on Israel as outlined by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar echoed similar concerns, stating that the Gaza Peace Board is not a United Nations body and therefore requires parliamentary approval before Pakistan can join. He demanded transparency regarding the agreement’s conditions and questioned whether Pakistani forces could be involved in disarming factions in Gaza.
Responding to criticism, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry assured the House that Parliament would be taken into confidence. He said Pakistan’s decision was aligned with UN resolutions, focused on Gaza’s reconstruction and a permanent ceasefire. The National Assembly session was later adjourned indefinitely.
