Former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Masood Khan, has termed Pakistan’s inclusion in the “Board of Peace” a major diplomatic breakthrough. In a statement today, the former president described the country’s entry into this high-level forum as a significant development, providing an opportunity to influence crucial decisions concerning Gaza and the wider Middle East.
He emphasized that the board’s legitimacy would depend on its ability to enforce a ceasefire, restore humanitarian aid, lift the Gaza blockade, and ensure Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories. Khan said that ongoing actions such as the annexation of the West Bank and the expansion of illegal settlements are actively undermining regional peace efforts.
Khan reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding and principled stance in favor of the peaceful resolution of international conflicts, including Kashmir and Palestine. He stressed that Pakistan is not merely an observer in the Middle East but a responsible partner, actively working with Muslim countries for an immediate end to the humanitarian crisis.
The former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir reaffirmed his support for the two-state solution, advocating for a sovereign and geographically contiguous Palestinian state coexisting peacefully with Israel. He warned that the fragmentation of Palestinian land through illegal settlements is jeopardizing the viability of this solution.
Regarding the board’s structure, Khan clarified that while it is indeed led by President Trump, it operates with the endorsement of Security Council Resolution 2803 and is not a substitute for the United Nations. He affirmed that Pakistan will utilize both platforms concurrently to achieve its diplomatic objectives.
He acknowledged that the decision-making process could be complicated by the significant influence of Israeli leadership and various lobbies in the United States. However, Khan pointed to the shifting global public opinion, reflected in debates within circles like “Make America Great Again (MAGA)” about continuing financial support for conflicts.
Regarding Pakistan’s potential role, Khan stated that the involvement will not include any military action, but it could play a role in peacekeeping and reconstruction, a continuation of the country’s extensive service in UN peacekeeping missions.
Despite its own economic challenges, Pakistan has consistently provided financial and material support to the Palestinian people. Citing his tenure as a Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Khan assured that future aid will be meaningful rather than merely symbolic.
He observed a more energized and proactive global movement in support of the Palestinian right to self-determination, led by Muslim countries, Gulf states, and nations of the Global South, and reinforced by demonstrations in world capitals demanding justice and an end to the occupation.
According to Khan, Pakistan’s presence on the board is a testament to its balanced diplomacy in a rapidly multipolarizing world, reflecting realism, a principled stance, and an unwavering commitment to peace and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.