Pakistan’s decision to join US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza should be seen not as a concession, but as a confident and calculated assertion of diplomatic maturity. In an international system where absence rarely translates into moral superiority, Islamabad has chosen engagement over isolation and, in doing so, positioned itself where it can actually shape outcomes that matter for Gaza, the Palestinians, and the wider Middle East.

For decades, Pakistan has been a consistent and vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause. It has raised its voice in international forums, offered humanitarian assistance, and maintained a principled stance against Israeli excesses. But the hard truth of modern geopolitics is that principles, when unaccompanied by presence, often fail to translate into policy influence.

By joining a forum that seeks to determine the future political and security arrangements for Gaza, Pakistan ensures it is not merely commenting from the sidelines but participating in conversations where real decisions are made.

The most compelling argument for Pakistan’s participation is influence. Gaza’s fate will not be decided by those who refuse to engage, but by those sitting at the table, however imperfect that table may be. Joining the board allows Pakistan to advocate directly for ceasefire sustainability, humanitarian access, reconstruction priorities, and political safeguards for Palestinians. It provides Islamabad with an........

© The Friday Times