A defining moment for peace in Gaza

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s departure for Sharm El-Sheikh on the invitation of Donald Trump and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to attend the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit is a moment of critical diplomatic significance for both Pakistan and the broader Middle East. This gathering, which brings together world leaders including the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, and other key international figures, marks the culmination of months of urgent diplomacy to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. It also signals an important convergence of global and regional will to bring an end to one of the bloodiest humanitarian crises of our time.
The summit is being held against the backdrop of the relentless Israeli assault on Gaza, which has cost tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and displaced millions. After more than a year of tragic loss and destruction, the world stands at a crossroads: either allow this humanitarian catastrophe to continue or forge a meaningful, durable peace that can change the course of history in the Middle East. The Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit represents the latter – a historic effort to negotiate a ceasefire and establish the framework for a lasting settlement.
For Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s participation underscores the country’s consistent and principled position on the Palestinian issue. Since its inception, Pakistan has stood shoulder to shoulder with the Palestinian people in their struggle for dignity, justice, and self-determination. Islamabad’s voice at this summit carries moral weight, rooted in decades of unwavering support for Palestinian statehood on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The presence of President Donald Trump, who has played a pivotal role in facilitating the peace plan, reflects the level of international attention and urgency surrounding this summit. The joint declaration issued earlier by the participating nations welcomed the Trump initiative for Gaza ceasefire, reconstruction, and regional development. It is a rare moment of alignment among major international and Arab-Islamic powers – including Pakistan – united by a shared recognition that the crisis in Gaza can no longer be allowed to fester without decisive action.
For decades, efforts to secure a sustainable peace in the Middle East have been undermined by political mistrust, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and a lack of credible mechanisms to enforce agreements. If the summit results in the signing of a comprehensive Gaza Peace Agreement, it will be the first major diplomatic breakthrough in years. This agreement is expected to ensure the immediate cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of Israeli forces, return and rehabilitation of displaced Palestinians, release of prisoners, and the beginning of reconstruction in a stable environment.
Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement in this process demonstrates that the country is not merely a bystander but an active participant in shaping the regional peace agenda. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s presence alongside other key leaders sends a clear message: Pakistan remains committed to supporting the Palestinian people politically and diplomatically, and it stands ready to play a constructive role in regional peace-building.
More importantly, the summit comes at a time when global frustration with the prolonged conflict has reached a breaking point. Humanitarian organizations, governments, and civil society across the world have raised their voices against the collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, hospitals and schools targeted, and essential services collapsed under the weight of an unjust war. In this context, the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit provides a ray of hope to millions who have suffered unimaginable loss.
The role of Egypt as host is also critical. As a key regional player with a shared border with Gaza, Cairo has historically played a mediating role in conflicts between Israel and Palestinian factions. Its involvement lends credibility and regional ownership to the peace process. Similarly, the participation of Qatar and Turkey reflects the efforts of countries that have often served as diplomatic bridges in the region’s most complex crises.
Pakistan’s presence at this high table is equally symbolic. It reflects not only its commitment to the Palestinian cause but also its growing engagement in international peace and diplomacy. Islamabad’s voice reinforces the collective demand of the Muslim world for justice and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state.
However, while this moment carries hope, it also demands realism. History has shown that ceasefire agreements are fragile if not backed by concrete enforcement mechanisms, credible guarantees, and international oversight. Israel’s past violations of UN resolutions, coupled with the lack of accountability, have repeatedly derailed peace processes. For the Gaza Peace Agreement to succeed, it must be accompanied by international monitoring, humanitarian guarantees, and a roadmap for political negotiations leading to a permanent two-state solution.
For Pakistan, this also means continuing its diplomatic engagement beyond the summit. Supporting Palestinian reconstruction, mobilizing humanitarian aid, engaging in multilateral forums like the UN and OIC, and maintaining diplomatic pressure on occupying forces will remain essential steps.
The Sharm El-Sheikh summit can become a defining moment – not only for Gaza but for the entire Middle East – if it translates political commitments into concrete actions. A successful peace agreement would not only end the bloodshed but also pave the way for reconstruction, regional economic integration, and the revival of long-delayed political solutions.
In this sense, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s participation is not just a symbolic gesture but a strategic contribution to one of the most critical diplomatic efforts of our time. Pakistan’s consistent support for the Palestinian cause aligns with its moral, political, and strategic vision of a just, peaceful, and stable world.
As the world watches Sharm El-Sheikh, the stakes could not be higher. If this summit delivers tangible results, it will mark a turning point in the long and painful history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If it fails, it will deepen despair and prolong suffering. The path to lasting peace is difficult, but it is not impossible – and this moment, if seized with sincerity and resolve, could shape a more just future for generations of Palestinians to come.