Shehbaz Sharif in Washington: Pakistan Sets Strict Terms for Gaza Peacekeeping Role. -

In a landmark diplomatic move, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Washington, D.C., to attend the inaugural session of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace (BoP) held on February 19, 2026. The three-day visit (Feb 18–20) marks a critical juncture as Pakistan weighs its role in the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza.

Diplomatic Engagement in Washington

The Board of Peace: Chaired by President Trump, the BoP was formed under a UN Security Council resolution following a fragile October 2025 ceasefire. It aims to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and stabilization through an eight-nation Muslim bloc including Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
High-Level Representation: Sharif is accompanied by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The delegation joined representatives from over 27 nations at the Donald J. Trump US Institute of Peace.
Bilateral Meetings: On the sidelines, Sharif is expected to interact with senior U.S. leadership to discuss both global issues and bilateral economic cooperation.

Pakistan’s Conditions for Troop Deployment

While Islamabad has expressed readiness to contribute “a couple of thousand troops” to the ISF, government sources emphasize strict prerequisites:

Purely Peacekeeping: Pakistan seeks firm assurances that the mission will be restricted to peacekeeping and the protection of civilians rather than enforcement actions.
No Disarmament Mandate: Sources state it is “out of the question” for Pakistani troops to engage in disarming Hamas or other militant groups.
UN-Authorized Framework: Pakistan insists the force must operate under a clear UN-authorized mandate with a defined chain of command to maintain international legitimacy and avoid domestic backlash.
Humanitarian Focus: The primary motivation for participation is to facilitate humanitarian aid and Gaza’s reconstruction while supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes based on current diplomatic reports. The details of troop deployment and the terms of the stabilization force are subject to ongoing negotiations and official state policy. Please follow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for confirmed updates on Pakistan’s international missions.