Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday called on Parliament to reject U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly announced Board of Peace, criticising Pakistan’s decision to join the initiative.
Trump unveiled the Board on Thursday, saying it would initially support the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. He later indicated that the body could expand its role to address other global conflicts in coordination with the United Nations.
Pakistan formally joined the initiative after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Charter of the Board of Peace in Davos alongside other founding members.
Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, Fazlur Rehman said Pakistan’s participation contradicted earlier assurances given to lawmakers. He stated that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had informed Parliament that Pakistan would not endorse Trump’s proposed Gaza peace framework.
He questioned the decision to join the Board without parliamentary approval, asking why Pakistan had committed itself to the initiative despite unresolved concerns about its objectives.
Referring to Trump’s warning that Hamas must disarm or face severe consequences under the ceasefire, Fazlur Rehman accused Washington of targeting Palestinian resistance while strengthening Israel’s position.
He argued that past agreements had consistently restricted Palestinian rights while expanding Israeli influence. He questioned whether peace could emerge under threats directed at Palestinians.
Fazlur Rehman also voiced regional security concerns. He warned that after developments in Lebanon and Syria, Israel could shift its focus toward Iran. He claimed that instability could eventually reach Pakistan’s border areas near Taftan.
Criticising the federal government, Fazlur Rehman said Prime Minister Sharif had not taken Parliament or the Cabinet into confidence before signing the charter. He accused the government of seeking favor with Washington and urged lawmakers to formally reject the Board of Peace under its current framework.
