Pak Agrees to Join ‘Board of Peace’ after Seeking $2.5-bn Debt’s Rollover for Ailing Economy
In a significant development, Pakistan has agreed to join the ‘Board of Peace’, a brainchild of former US President Donald Trump, in support of the Gaza Peace Plan. This announcement was made by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, and comes at a time when the country is grappling with a severe economic crisis. Just days ago, Pakistan had approached the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a request to rollover a $2.5-billion maturing debt and to halve the applicable interest rate, in a bid to provide some relief to its ailing economy.
The decision to join the ‘Board of Peace’ is seen as a strategic move by Pakistan to bolster its international relationships and to secure much-needed economic support. The board, which aims to promote peace and stability in the region, will reportedly require a $1-billion fee from Pakistan to join as a permanent member. This is a significant amount, considering the country’s current economic woes, but Pakistan seems willing to make this investment in the hopes of securing long-term benefits.
The ‘Board of Peace’ is an initiative that was launched by Donald Trump, with the aim of promoting peace and stability in the region. The board is expected to play a key role in promoting economic development and cooperation among its member countries, and Pakistan’s decision to join is seen as a positive step in this direction. The Gaza Peace Plan, which is a key component of the ‘Board of Peace’, aims to promote peace and stability in the region, and Pakistan’s support for this plan is seen as a significant development.
Pakistan’s economy has been facing significant challenges in recent times, with a severe balance of payments crisis, a large fiscal deficit, and a significant decline in foreign exchange reserves. The country has been struggling to meet its debt obligations, and the $2.5-billion debt that is due to mature soon is a significant challenge. By seeking a rollover of this debt and a halving of the applicable interest rate, Pakistan is hoping to provide some relief to its economy and to create space for much-needed economic reforms.
The decision to join the ‘Board of Peace’ is also seen as a move by Pakistan to diversify its diplomatic relationships and to reduce its dependence on traditional allies. Pakistan has historically been closely aligned with countries such as China and Saudi Arabia, but in recent times, it has been seeking to expand its diplomatic relationships and to engage with other countries, including the United States. The decision to join the ‘Board of Peace’ is seen as a significant development in this direction, and it is expected to have a positive impact on Pakistan’s relationships with other countries in the region.
However, the decision to join the ‘Board of Peace’ is not without its challenges. The $1-billion fee that is required to join the board as a permanent member is a significant amount, and it is not clear how Pakistan will raise this amount. The country is already facing significant economic challenges, and it is not clear how it will be able to afford this fee. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact that this decision will have on Pakistan’s relationships with other countries in the region, particularly those that are not members of the ‘Board of Peace’.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s decision to join the ‘Board of Peace’ is a significant development that reflects the country’s desire to engage with the international community and to promote peace and stability in the region. While the decision is not without its challenges, it is seen as a positive step in the right direction, and it is expected to have a positive impact on Pakistan’s relationships with other countries in the region. The country’s decision to seek a rollover of its $2.5-billion debt and to halve the applicable interest rate is also a significant development, and it reflects the country’s desire to provide relief to its ailing economy.
As Pakistan moves forward with its decision to join the ‘Board of Peace’, it is clear that the country will face significant challenges. However, it is also clear that the country is committed to promoting peace and stability in the region, and to engaging with the international community to achieve this goal. The decision to join the ‘Board of Peace’ is a significant development, and it is expected to have a positive impact on Pakistan’s relationships with other countries in the region.
In the coming days and weeks, it will be important to watch how Pakistan’s decision to join the ‘Board of Peace’ plays out. The country will need to navigate the challenges associated with joining the board, including the $1-billion fee that is required to join as a permanent member. The country will also need to balance its relationships with other countries in the region, and to ensure that its decision to join the ‘Board of Peace’ does not have a negative impact on these relationships.
Overall, Pakistan’s decision to join the ‘Board of Peace’ is a significant development that reflects the country’s desire to engage with the international community and to promote peace and stability in the region. While the decision is not without its challenges, it is seen as a positive step in the right direction, and it is expected to have a positive impact on Pakistan’s relationships with other countries in the region.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-join-trumps-board-peace-gaza-2026-01-21/
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