Europe Rejects ‘Board of Peace’; Maulana Questions PM’s Role, Slams Netanyahu’s Inclusion
Islamabad: JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has criticized the proposed “Board of Peace,” saying several countries, including those in Europe and France, have refused to join it, while questioning whether Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would engage in peace talks alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Addressing the National Assembly, Maulana said it was essential to debate former US President Donald Trump’s peace initiative, recalling that Israel was established under British patronage despite League of Nations recommendations against Jewish settlement in Palestine. He said those responsible for creating the Palestinian issue were now positioning themselves as arbiters of peace.
He condemned the inclusion of Netanyahu—whom he accused of responsibility for tens of thousands of deaths—in the Board of Peace, alleging that Trump retains unchecked authority to appoint or remove members. He questioned whether Pakistan’s policies were shaped under global pressure rather than the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, who had termed Israel an illegitimate state.
Maulana asked whether current rulers adhere to the founder of Pakistan’s stance on Israel, stating that expecting peace from “killers” was self-deception. He also criticized the government for failing to take Parliament and the cabinet into confidence on the Palestine issue.
Highlighting internal security concerns, he said Pakistan itself lacked peace, alleging that armed groups controlled several districts and extortion was rampant in areas including Tank, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan. He claimed state officials were paying extortion to protect lives and businesses.
He further alleged that authoritarianism had merged with wealth and power at both national and global levels, weakening constitutional authority. Maulana criticized recent legislation, said democratic norms were being undermined, and announced that February 8 would be observed as a “black day.”
He concluded by demanding Pakistan refuse to join the Board of Peace under Trump’s leadership and Netanyahu’s presence. Following his speech, the National Assembly session was adjourned indefinitely.
