ISLAMABAD: Amid a storm of opposition protests, the government on Friday staunchly defended its decision to join the US-led “Board of Peace” under US President Donald Trump, hailing the move as a diplomatic triumph for Pakistan and its Muslim allies in the quest for peace in Gaza and the wider Muslim world.
Addressing the joint sitting of parliament chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal described Pakistan’s decision to join US-led “Board of Peace” as a diplomatic win and urged lawmakers to celebrate it, despite mounting criticism from opposition benches.
He framed the decision as part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to play a pivotal role in securing peace in Palestine, alongside other Muslim nations.
In his speech, Iqbal drew parallels with Pakistan’s 1998 nuclear tests, recalling the international pressure the country faced at the time and the courage shown in defending its sovereignty.
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“We don’t need anyone to teach us about Pakistan’s defence and integrity,” he declared, emphasising that under the leadership of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan’s sovereignty remains intact.
He also noted that the government and armed forces demonstrated strength during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, warning that any adversary would be met with a “befitting reply.”
Turning to the issue of Palestine, Iqbal acknowledged the suffering of Palestinians but insisted that joining the peace initiative was the right course of action.
“If we hadn’t joined the Board of Peace, the opposition would have criticised us for Pakistan’s isolation from global peace efforts,” he argued.
He stressed that Pakistan’s stance on Israel as an aggressor remained unchanged, asserting that the government’s involvement in the peace process was based on its commitment to Palestinian rights.
Iqbal also pointed to the ceasefire achieved between Israel and Hamas, which he said was partially the result of the efforts of eight Muslim nations working with the Trump administration.
“The people of Palestine accepted that ceasefire and began to rebuild their lives,” he added.
However, opposition leaders vehemently opposed the government’s stance as Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, the opposition leader in the Senate, stated that what Netanyahu had failed to achieve was now being pursued under the guise of a “peace board.”
He expressed concern that Pakistan had joined the forum without national consensus and without informing lawmakers about its terms.
“This so-called Peace Board will only add to the suffering of the Palestinians,” he said, accusing Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu of using the platform to further Israeli aggression.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also lashed out at the decision, alleging that it was driven by “fear of Donald Trump” and would ultimately strengthen Israel’s position against Muslim countries.
He warned that Israel’s aggressive stance would soon turn towards Pakistan after dealing with Hamas and Iran.
Rehman criticised the government for not consulting parliament and cabinet before joining the initiative. “America destroyed Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, and now, Israel will turn its attention to Pakistan,” he warned.
He also drew attention to the issue of Pakistan’s passport restrictions on travel to Israel, questioning why the government was engaging with a state that Pakistan officially does not recognise.
The debate over the Donald Trump-initiated “Board of Peace” was marked by sharp divisions, with opposition leaders denouncing the government’s lack of transparency and accusing it of compromising Pakistan’s national dignity for geopolitical gain.
The opposition further argued that the peace initiative was nothing more than a facade for occupation, with Abbas urging parliament to pass a resolution rejecting the plan.
Despite the growing controversy, the government defended its position, maintaining that its commitment to Palestinian rights and peace in the region remains steadfast.
Meanwhile, the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, strongly condemned the arrest of human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, accusing the government of targeting political dissenters and violating the constitution.
Achakzai denounced the arrest as a direct attack on political freedoms, stating that such actions demonstrated the ongoing suppression of dissent and the continuous erosion of basic civil rights in the country.
“Targeting political dissenters is a clear violation of the constitution,” he said, adding that the government’s use of the law to shield the interests of powerful elite was a troubling trend.
He called for the immediate release of the lawyer couple, demanding a “transparent and impartial” investigation into their arrest.
Ironically, the proceedings of the joint sitting of parliament, which were previously streamed live on National Assembly’s official YouTube channel, mysteriously disappeared from the platform. Additionally, the session was not telecast live on state-run television, raising questions about why this happened.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026