Pakistan has accepted an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join the “Board of Peace” on Gaza, reaffirming its support for the implementation of a UN-backed peace framework aimed at achieving lasting peace in the war-hit territory, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Wednesday.

The FO said the invitation was extended to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following which Pakistan decided to join the board to support the Gaza peace plan under the framework of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.

“In response to the invitation extended to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif by President of the United States Donald J. Trump, Pakistan would like to announce its decision to join the Board of Peace as part of its ongoing efforts to support the implementation of the Gaza peace plan under the framework of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803,” the FO said in a statement.

The Foreign Office expressed hope that the establishment of the framework would lead to concrete progress on the ground.

“Pakistan was hopeful that with the creation of this framework, ‘concrete steps will be taken towards the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, further scaling up of humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, as well as reconstruction of Gaza’,” the statement added.

Pakistan also linked the initiative to a broader political process for resolving the Palestine issue.

“Pakistan also hopes that these efforts will lead to the realisation of the right to self-determination of the people of Palestine, through a credible, time-bound political process, consistent with international legitimacy and relevant UN resolutions, resulting in the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital,” the statement read.

The FO concluded by saying: “Pakistan looks forward to continuing to play a constructive role as part of the Board of Peace for the achievement of these goals as well as to end the suffering of our Palestinian brothers and sisters.”

According to the FO, Turkiye has also agreed to become part of the initiative. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will represent Ankara at the board’s meetings.

“Hakan Fidan has said that Turkiye will continue to play an active diplomatic role for the promotion of global peace,” it said.

Separately, consultations on peace and regional stability are expected on the sidelines of the Davos forum, where the Turkish foreign minister is also scheduled to participate.