Pakistan Joins Gaza Board For Peace, Insists Its Should Adhere To UN SC Mandate

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formally announced its decision to join the US proposed and led Gaza Board for Peace as governing body for the war torn region, Foreign Office announced on Wednesday through a press release.

Foreign Office said Pakistan supported President Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan and wanted to work for its implementation “under the framework of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803”. President Trump’s Peace Plan for Gaza was sanctified by the United Nations Security Council.

The Pakistan Foreign Office statement which contains the acceptance of President Trump’s invitation particularly notes the significance of the United Nations and the mandate the Security Council has issued for the implementation of the Peace Plan.

Pakistan’s emphasis on the UN security Council mandate is specifically significant in the context of international voices which are expressing concern that the terms of reference proclaiming for the Board for Peace doesn’t match with the mandate issued by the Security Council.

There are voices in the international diplomatic circles which are criticizing President Trump’s ambition to make the Board of Peace as a rival of the United Nations Security Council for resolution of international disputes.

“In response to the invitation extended to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif by the President of the United States, H.E. Donald J. Trump, Pakistan would like to announce its decision to join the Board of Peace (BoP) 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” reads Foreign Office Press release

“Pakistan expresses the hope 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”.

Pakistan also hopes that these efforts will lead to the realization 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.

“Pakistan looks forward to continuing playing 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”.

President Trump has announced the formation of Board of Peace–as a rival institution of United Nations Security Council (UNSC)–at a time when world community is particularly concerned about President Trump’s ambitions to do away with the rule based international border, which was created by United States and its western allies in the wake of victory in Second World War.

The rule based order revolved around international law and international institutions including United Nations, IMF, World Bank and WTO, the establishment of which was aimed at providing forums for the resolution of political, military and economic conflicts between independent states in the international system.

The multiple wars, conflicts and invasions during the past 20 years have already weakened the rule based order. This system received the heaviest jolt from President Trump when it invaded Venezuela and threatened to attack Iran in order to prevent its government from controlling the violent protests that have broken out in parts of Iran.

Pakistan has views with a lot of concerns about the development in Iran and any possible US military action against Iran in the coming days. Experts and observers believe that Pakistan’s diplomacy over the past 70 years is overly reliant on adherence to UN charter and principles.