Pakistanis slam Asim Munir, Shehbaz Sharif over decision to join Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace'

New Delhi: Since its formation in 1947, Pakistan has steadfastly followed a policy of refusing to recognize Israel. Rooted in Islamic doctrine, this policy has seen Pakistan allow its passport holding citizens visit every country on the globe except Israel, for which it refuses to grant a visa. However, Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have decided to abandon this long standing policy in their eagerness to please US President Donald Trump.

What has the Pakistan government decided?

How could Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who are desperate to win Trump's favor, refuse any of his proposals? Last Sunday, Trump invited Pakistan to join the ‘Board of Peace,’ and Pakistan accepted the invitation. Happily accepting Trump's proposal, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said that Pakistan would like to be a part of every effort for "peace" in Gaza.

While Pakistan's Shehbaz-Munir hybrid government may have accepted Trump's proposal, experts, former diplomats, and intellectuals in Pakistan are strongly opposing the government's decision.

What is the reaction in Pakistan?

Maliha Lodhi, who has served as Pakistan's ambassador to the US and the UN, is against the Pakistani government's decision. She questioned the credibility of the Board of Peace and said that it would not last long.

Maliha Lodhi strongly criticized Pakistan's decision to join the Board of Peace, saying, "Pakistan has decided to join an organization (Board of Peace) that Donald Trump is presenting as an alternative to the United Nations. This initiative is directly linked to Trump, and its survival after his term ends seems unlikely.  The question arises: has pleasing Trump become more important than adhering to principles?"

In another tweet, the former Pakistani diplomat wrote that Pakistan is becoming a part of a board that also includes Israel. She called it extremely unfortunate. Pakistan has not yet recognized Israel, and relations between the two countries have been strained.

In another tweet, Maliha Lodhi posted a news report related to Gaza, which stated that at least 11 Palestinians, including two children and three journalists, had been killed in Israeli attacks since morning. Along with this news, Maliha Lodhi questioned in her tweet, "Will the Board of Peace promote this kind of peace?" 'Shehbaz Sharif's bootlicking habit has...'

Former Pakistani Law Minister Babar Awan criticized the Shehbaz Sharif government, writing, "Sitting on the Board of Peace merely to please Trump, and sharing a platform with an international criminal like Netanyahu, notorious for war crimes, without holding him accountable, is a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. This step is a blatant disregard for the orders of Quaid-e-Azam and a historical blunder. Shehbaz Sharif's bootlicking habit has brought Pakistan to this point."

Pakistani journalist Baqir Sajjad wrote on X, "Sadly, this is the kind of peace some Muslim countries have achieved for the helpless Palestinians – by flattering and appeasing Trump. And yet, they have the audacity to tell people that whatever is being done is in the best interest of Palestine. This is an example of the greatest hypocrisy in Muslim world politics."

Is the ‘Board of Peace’ a club for the rich?

Former Pakistani Senator and lawyer Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar wrote on X, "Pakistan's decision to join the Board of Peace was taken without any public debate or parliamentary consultation. This clearly shows that the current regime has absolutely no regard for the Pakistani people and the democratic process."

The Pakistani lawyer argued that this decision is wrong. He wrote that the Board of Peace is a colonial project, whose aim is not only to govern Gaza but also to create a new system parallel to the United Nations. He says that Trump will have complete power and can use this power to advance his personal and American agenda.

Finally, he questioned the fees charged for the Board of Peace, saying, "The entry fee of one billion dollars for a permanent seat makes it truly a club for the rich. And it's not difficult to guess how such clubs usually operate." Sharif and Munir arrive in Davos to attend the Board of Peace signing ceremony

Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif, along with Army Chief Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, has arrived in Davos to participate in the Board of Peace. He posted a picture from there, writing, "Reached Davos with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to attend the signing ceremony of the Board of Peace!"

Pakistanis are also targeting him for this post. A user, a supporter of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, wrote, "This signing ceremony is extremely shameful, standing with Israel in the ongoing war against Palestinians for years. Palestinians are being continuously killed and starved."

Many X users are calling this decision by Pakistan shameful, writing, "Shame on you people." A user on X, who identifies himself as a former soldier, Omar Mahmood Hayat, writes, "The Pakistani government seems comfortable joining Trump's Board of Peace, where it will have to share a stage with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."