Prime Minister to Participate in Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is slated to attend the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt on October 13, also known as the Gaza peace agreement signing ceremony. The summit is being co-hosted by US President Donald Trump.

The Prime Minister will be present at the summit, co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President Trump. The purpose of the summit is to finalize an agreement aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in Gaza.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) released a statement on Sunday indicating that the Prime Minister had received formal invitations from both presidents to participate in the meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with other high-ranking ministers, will accompany the Prime Minister during this official visit, as stated by the Foreign Office.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Summit builds upon Pakistan’s recent diplomatic endeavors, conducted with other Muslim nations on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s 80th Session last month, all aimed at achieving a lasting peace in Gaza.

PM Shehbaz, together with representatives from numerous Arab-Islamic nations, including Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Indonesia, and Turkiye, previously participated in a summit-level discussion on Gaza with President Trump on September 23.

Following President Trump’s unveiling of a Gaza peace initiative, the Arab-Islamic countries released a joint declaration, expressing their support for the US President’s endeavors to bring about peace in the besieged region.

Leaders from Muslim and Arab states have reiterated their shared dedication to collaborating with the United States to achieve a comprehensive and enduring cessation of hostilities, while also addressing the pressing humanitarian challenges present in Gaza.

According to the MoFA statement, “The Prime Minister’s attendance at the Summit demonstrates Pakistan’s long-standing, consistent, and steadfast support for the Palestinian people’s just cause, specifically their right to self-determination, as well as the pursuit of lasting peace and stability in the region.”

MoFA conveyed its anticipation that the upcoming summit will pave the way for a complete Israeli withdrawal, ensure the safety of Palestinian civilians, put an end to their displacement, and facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza.

The statement also mentioned, “Pakistan is also hopeful that these initiatives will contribute to a reliable political process focused on establishing an independent, viable, and geographically connected State of Palestine, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its designated capital, based on the borders recognized before 1967, and in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.”