ISLAMABAD, Wednesday, January 21, 2026 (WNP): Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, on Wednesday said Pakistan’s decision to join a US-initiated peace board on Gaza, alongside Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Türkiye and other Muslim countries, is rooted exclusively in the broader interests of the Palestinian people and the collective stance of the Muslim world.

In a statement, Ashrafi said Pakistan’s participation followed extensive consultations with brotherly Islamic nations and reflected Islamabad’s consistent and principled support for Palestine. He recalled that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have already made it clear that Pakistan’s sole objective in joining the peace initiative is the protection of Palestinian rights and the pursuit of justice for the Palestinian people.

“This includes the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Gaza and efforts toward the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital,” he said.

Ashrafi emphasized that Pakistan has categorically ruled out accepting or endorsing any step that is against the wishes or interests of the Palestinian people. “Pakistan’s position on Palestine has been reiterated hundreds of times and remains unchanged,” he added.

Addressing concerns over the possible presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in forums linked to the peace board, the Pakistan Ulema Council chairman said such participation should not be misconstrued as recognition of Israel by Pakistan or Saudi Arabia. He said Israeli leaders have previously appeared at the United Nations and other international platforms alongside representatives of Muslim countries, without altering the established positions of those states on the Palestinian issue.

Calling for national unity, Ashrafi urged that no attempt should be made to divide the country over a matter on which there is a clear and unanimous national consensus. He appealed to the public to strengthen, rather than weaken, the collective national stance on Palestine and to support the government’s decisions taken in coordination with brotherly Islamic countries.

“The Pakistani nation has a responsibility to stand with its government so that Pakistan can play a practical and effective role in supporting the Palestinian people and advancing the cause of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital,” he said.

Ashrafi also dismissed claims that Pakistan was aligning itself against Palestinian groups, clarifying that Pakistan is neither fighting Hamas nor the Palestinian people. He said Pakistan’s position has been clearly articulated by the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Minister and the Director General ISPR, and urged the public not to fall prey to misinformation.

Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic and diplomatic standing, he said Pakistan is a leading nuclear power of the Muslim world and its participation in the peace board would strengthen efforts in favor of the Palestinian cause. With major Muslim countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other key Islamic states involved, he said attempts to isolate Pakistan should be viewed realistically.

“Alhamdulillah, Pakistan is not alone,” Ashrafi said, adding that the country today enjoys one of the strongest foreign policy positions in its history. He expressed hope that Pakistan would, by the grace of Allah, also emerge successful in its principled struggles on Palestine and Kashmir.