Shehbaz Sharif joins 20 other nations at Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ debut meet while Europe stays away

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to attend the inaugural meeting of President Donald Trump’s controversial Board of Peace, alongside delegations from at least 20 countries on Thursday.

The meeting will be held at the recently renamed Donald J. Trump Institute for Peace, marks the formal launch of a body that Trump claims will succeed where the United Nations has faltered.

Pakistan to seek clarity on Gaza

For PM Shehbaz, the visit is a delicate balancing act. While Pakistan was among the first to sign the board’s charter in Davos, the Prime Minister is seeking “firm assurances” regarding the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity to Reuters, a close aide to the Prime Minister clarified the red lines.

“We are ready to send troops. Let me make it clear that our troops could only be part of a peace mission in Gaza. We will not be part of any other role, such as disarming Hamas. It is out of the question,” the aide said.

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Europe plays hard to get

While the White House confirmed that over 20 countries are attending the summit, the guest list reveals a growing divide. Major European and G7 allies—including France, Germany, and the UK—have declined the invitation.

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The skepticism in Brussels is palpable.

Critics argue the board is a “parallel structure” designed to bypass the UN. European Council President António Costa noted, “We have serious doubts about a number of elements in the charter… related to its scope, its governance, and its compatibility with the UN Charter."

Even those attending from Europe, like Italy, are doing so only as “observers." Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán remains the lone major EU leader fully embracing the initiative.

The ‘$5 billion’ ambition

Despite the cold shoulder from Western Europe, the White House is projecting confidence. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that member states are expected to announce a $5 billion in funding for Gaza’s reconstruction during this first session.

President Trump, who designated himself “Chairman for Life” of the board, has teased even broader goals on Truth Social.

“The Board of Peace has unlimited potential… we will announce that Member States have pledged more than $5 BILLION DOLLARS toward Gaza… and have committed thousands of personnel,” Trump wrote.