Washington (Web Desk): US President Donald Trump has praised Pakistan’s political and military leadership during a historic the inaugural summit of the “Board of Peace,” a forum established to discuss the future of Gaza, even as Pakistan clarified that it would not become part of any International Stabilisation Force (ISF) assigned to disarm Hamas.
The gathering brought together a number of world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
In his speech, President Trump once again spoke appreciatively of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharrif, saying, “I like this guy,” as he revisited last year’s May standoff between Pakistan and India that ultimately ended in a ceasefire.
Trump also commended Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Addressing the premier directly, he said, “Prime Minister Sharif, I like this man. There was some firing going on when I got to know him and your Field Marshal Asim Munir, he is a great guy. He said in front of our Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, he said: ‘Do you know no body knows but I believe that President Trump saved 25 million lives when he stopped the war between us and India.’ You made that statement.”
The US president further revised his earlier claim about aircraft losses during the conflict, increasing the number of jets shot down from 10 to 11.
PM Shehbaz landed in Washington earlier on Thursday with a delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.
Representatives from around 20 other nations are also attending the summit. Meetings between the Pakistani premier and senior US officials are expected to take place during the visit.
Before making any decision about contributing troops to Gaza under the proposed ISF, Pakistan is seeking clear guarantees from Washington, according to three sources quoted by Reuters.
Islamabad wants confirmation that its role would strictly be limited to peacekeeping and would not involve efforts to disarm Hamas.
Under the Board’s “Comprehensive Plan,” the ISF would function with the United States at the helm, focusing on restoring stability in Gaza, managing humanitarian areas, and ensuring civilian protection as the plan is implemented. President Trump is anticipated to announce a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction initiative for Gaza and lay out details of a UN-backed stabilisation force for the territory.
Sources said that during discussions in Washington, Prime Minister Shehbaz aims to gain clarity about the ISF’s purpose, its legal framework, and the command structure before committing any Pakistani troops.
One close aide to the premier stated, “We are ready to send troops. Let me make it clear that our troops could only be part of a peace mission in Gaza.” He added firmly, “We will not be part of any other role, such as disarming Hamas. It is out of the question.”
The “Board of Peace” has been created as a temporary governing authority to supervise Gaza’s transition and execute what it calls a Comprehensive Plan to end the conflict. The body holds sweeping powers to manage administrative changes, oversee demobilisation and demilitarisation efforts, issue resolutions, establish sub-committees, and amend civil and criminal laws under the authority of its chairman.
Chaired for life by President Trump, the board grants him extensive control over decisions, appointments, and operational direction. It also oversees a National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), described as a technocratic Palestinian entity, though key decision-making authority remains consolidated within the board and its high representative.
The founding document outlines that the ISF would initially operate under US leadership, with operational command assigned to a US major general. Its responsibilities would include maintaining security, safeguarding humanitarian activities, and establishing regulated civilian-protection corridors.