Trump to chair BoP with sweeping powers; member states required to contribute $1b
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has been invited to join the newly-announced US-led Gaza Board of Peace (BoP), a powerful international body tasked with overseeing Gaza’s post-war transition, reconstruction and security restructuring, the Foreign Office confirmed on Sunday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said US President Donald Trump had formally invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to become part of the proposed BoP, underlining Islamabad’s continued engagement with international efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in Gaza.
“Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions,” Andrabi said, while responding to media queries.
The invitation places Pakistan among a select group of countries being courted by Washington as it rolls out what officials describe as an ambitious and far-reaching Gaza Peace Plan, designed to end the war, rebuild devastated enclave and establish a new governance and security framework for post-conflict Gaza.
The White House formally unveiled the structure and initial membership of the BOP on Friday. Some observers think the initiative resembled “a kind of mini-United Nations,” initially focused on Gaza but with the potential to expand its mandate to other conflict zones in the future.
According to US officials, the BoP will serve as the central political and financial authority overseeing Gaza’s transition phase, working alongside a technocratic Palestinian administration, international security forces and a reconstruction mechanism funded by global contributors.
The development has been widely interpreted in diplomatic circles as a bold attempt by the Trump administration to reshape post-war governance in Gaza, while asserting greater US control over peace-building mechanisms traditionally led by the UN.
Officials in Islamabad see the invitation as international recognition of Pakistan’s long-standing and principled position on Palestine. “The world has acknowledged Pakistan’s consistent and principled stance on Palestine,” a senior official said, noting that Pakistan’s inclusion reflects growing confidence in its diplomatic credibility and responsible global role.
Discussions are now under way within Pakistan’s leadership regarding the US-proposed Gaza Peace Plan and the administrative and diplomatic mechanisms under it, including the BoP. These mechanisms aim to end hostilities, restore governance, ensure humanitarian relief and undertake large-scale reconstruction in Palestinian territory.
Diplomatic sources said that Pakistan’s potential participation would not be driven by bloc politics, but by its commitment to alleviating the suffering of Palestinian civilians and supporting a just, durable political settlement based on international law.
The White House said founding executive members of the BoP include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and a key architect of earlier Middle East initiatives.
Other prominent figures include Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management; World Bank Group President Ajay Banga; and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel.
Leaders from more than 60 countries have been invited to serve on the broader Peace Council. Canadian media reported that Prime Minister Mark Carney has accepted the invitation. Argentine President Javier Milei publicly confirmed his participation, calling it “an honour” and saying Argentina would stand with countries that “confront terrorism head-on and promote peace and freedom.”
Turkey also confirmed receiving a formal invitation. Presidential spokesperson Burhanettin Duran said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had been invited as a founding member. Egypt said it was examining an invitation for President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, while Jordan confirmed King Abdullah II was also invited and consultations were under way.
Under the US plan, Gaza would be administered during a transition period by a Palestinian technocratic body known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). The body will be headed by Dr Ali Sha’ath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister from Khan Younis.
The NCAG will oversee the restoration of public services, rebuilding of civil institutions and stabilisation of daily life, while laying the groundwork for long-term governance.
Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov has been appointed High Representative for Gaza, serving as the key link between the BoP and the NCAG, with significant executive authority on the ground.
Security will be handled by an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), commanded by US Major General Jasper Jeffers, currently head of the US special forces. The ISF will lead security operations, support “comprehensive demilitarisation,” and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.
A separate Gaza Executive Board has also been formed, bringing together regional and international stakeholders, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, Egypt’s General Hassan Rashad, UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, Dutch diplomat Sigrid Kaag, and Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay.
The initiative, however, has generated controversy, particularly over its funding and governance model.
According to a draft charter seen by Bloomberg, the Trump administration is asking countries that want a permanent seat on the BoP to contribute at least $1 billion. President Trump would serve as the BoP’s inaugural chairman and retain decisive authority over membership and decision-making.
Under the draft, each member state would have one vote, with decisions taken by majority, but all outcomes would remain subject to the chairman’s approval. Membership terms would normally be limited to three years, unless a country contributes more than $1 billion in cash within the first year, in which case the term limit would not apply.
The charter describes the BoP as “an international organisation that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.” The body would become official once three states sign on to the charter.
A US official confirmed to Bloomberg News that while countries could join without paying, the $1 billion contribution would guarantee permanent membership. The funds, the official said, would be used directly for Gaza’s reconstruction, with assurances that “almost every dollar” would go toward executing the BoP’s mandate.
Critics argue that the structure effectively gives President Trump disproportionate control, raising fears that the BoP could emerge as a rival to the United Nations, an institution Trump has repeatedly criticised. Some European and regional countries have reportedly expressed serious reservations about the draft charter.
According to people familiar with the discussions, several states are working collectively to push back against provisions that would place financial control and agenda-setting powers almost entirely in the hands of the chairman. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also criticised the initiative, saying its details had not been coordinated with Israel.
Pakistan has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, unhindered humanitarian access, accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and a two-state solution leading to an independent Palestinian state. Officials said Islamabad would carefully evaluate the structure, mandate and implications of the BoP before deciding on the nature of its engagement.
Analysts believe Pakistan’s participation could allow it to move beyond statements and play a practical role in shaping humanitarian relief, reconstruction transparency and political outcomes. “This is an honour, a vote of confidence and a responsibility,” a senior diplomat said. “If handled wisely, Pakistan’s role could contribute meaningfully to safeguarding Palestinian interests and advancing a just and lasting peace.”
