Shahbaz Government Faces Backlash Over Participation in Trump-Led Board of Peace

Islamabad, January 24, 2026: Pakistan’s participation in the newly launched Board of Peace at Davos, led by U.S. President Donald Trump, has sparked criticism at home. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif attended the signing ceremony, calling it a diplomatic success, but opposition parties have voiced strong objections.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal defended the government in parliament on Friday, rejecting claims that Pakistan was trying to appease the United States. He stated that Pakistan’s involvement in the Board of Peace aims to promote lasting peace in Gaza and strengthen the country’s global standing.

Opposition leaders, however, accused the government of bowing to U.S. pressure. Senate opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas criticized Shahbaz Sharif for joining the forum, calling it a compromise of national sovereignty. Responding to the criticism, Iqbal said, “Pakistan does not need to take lessons on national security from anyone. Our government cannot be accused of negligence. Participation in the Peace Board amplifies Pakistan’s voice internationally. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s decision is a diplomatic achievement.”

Iqbal further emphasized, “If Pakistan had stayed out of this forum, the opposition would have claimed that the country was isolated. Joining the Gaza Peace Board is a calculated step to curb Israeli atrocities against Palestinians. Pakistan remains opposed to Israel and continues to support an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders.”

The opposition, including JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, has strongly criticized Pakistan’s involvement. Rehman claimed that the move strengthens U.S. and Israeli aggression and intimidates Hamas, questioning the forum’s credibility as a peace initiative.

The Board of Peace, launched by U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday at Davos, includes leaders and senior officials from 19 countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Argentina, and Hungary. Trump described the platform as a mechanism not only for peace in Gaza but also to resolve global conflicts.