Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday declared that lasting peace in Gaza remains Pakistan’s mission, stressing that the Palestinian people must have full rights to their homeland and that an independent, sovereign Palestinian state is essential for durable stability.

Addressing the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, chaired by US President Donald Trump at the United States Institute of Peace, the prime minister called for the implementation of United Nations resolutions on Palestine.

He said violations of the Gaza ceasefire must end to secure long-term peace, describing the day as a “golden chapter” in efforts to stabilise the Middle East.

PM Shehbaz praised President Trump’s role in conflict resolution, saying his timely intervention helped halt the Pakistan-India war in May 2025 and saved “millions of precious lives.”

He termed President Trump a standard-bearer of peace and said establishing peace in Gaza would be a significant legacy for the US president.

The session opened with a group photograph of participating leaders.

Permanent members of the UN Security Council were not present.

Officials said President Trump is expected to announce funds mobilised for Gaza’s reconstruction and outline plans for an international stabilisation force.

Leaders from Indonesia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan attended the meeting, along with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, US Vice President JD Vance, and the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.

Earlier, President Trump said he envisioned a “bright future” for the people of Gaza and expressed confidence in achieving sustainable peace.

He referred to a recent agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia as a positive development for regional stability.

Trump thanked PM Shehbaz for visiting Washington and said he held the Pakistani leader in high regard, noting strong ties built during periods of conflict.

He also praised Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, describing him as a “great personality” and a “fighter.”

Referring to the May 2025 Pakistan-India conflict, Trump said 11 Indian fighter jets were downed during the fighting.

He said he conveyed a clear message to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that heavy tariffs would be imposed if the conflict did not stop.

Trump said he had offered both Pakistan and India expanded trade opportunities, adding that a “good trade deal” had been reached with Pakistan.

The president further stated that he maintained positive relations with Iranian representatives and announced plans to visit China in April. He described his ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping as excellent.

Reiterating his broader foreign policy goals, Trump said he would continue to play a role in promoting peace and economic stability in the Middle East and South Asia.

The Board of Peace meeting, held at the United States Institute of Peace, was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the presidents of Indonesia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, US Vice President JD Vance, as well as the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Ahead of the session, President Trump posed for a group photograph with global leaders.

Notably, permanent members of the UN Security Council, including China, Russia and the United Kingdom, were not present at the meeting.