Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to visit Washington on February 18 and represent Pakistan at the first leaders’ meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, Dawn reported. Prime Minister Sharif’s decision to present at the so-called peace-building mission came at a time when Islamabad had witnessed a deadly blast in the national capital, where at least 31 people were killed, and more than 160 were injured.

Trump unveiled the board in January as part of the second phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It is being projected by Washington as a new international body to usher in peace and stability in Gaza and beyond. More than 20 countries have joined the board so far, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Argentina and Hungary.

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India has not joined the bloc yet. It had also refrained from attending the Trump-led signing event last month. However, Shehbaz Sharif’s "bootlicking" gesture stole the show. The latest move is also seen as an attempt to woo Trump despite Pakistan’s tilt towards the Palestinians.

Pakistan's Foreign Office confirms Trump's invitation

Pakistan's Foreign Office on January 21 said it has accepted President Trump’s invitation to join the Board of Peace for Gaza and that he had invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to become part of the body.

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American media on Saturday reported that the US has sent invites for the February 19 event on Friday. It is slated to be held at the US Institute of Peace in Washington.

The February 19 meeting is expected to focus on the rapidly evolving situation in Gaza, measures to restore peace and stability, and the formulation of a future roadmap to address both the security and humanitarian dimensions of the crisis. 

Officials believe participation in the Gaza Board of Peace will allow Pakistan to convey its perspective directly to key international stakeholders and to advocate collective action to prevent further civilian casualties and regional destabilisation. But in reality, it seems another "bootlicking" gesture from Sharif.

(With inputs from agency)