Shehbaz Sharif Endorses Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan, Faces Backlash in Pakistan

Pakistan is witnessing a political storm after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif voiced support for US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which aims to resolve the two-year-long Israel-Hamas conflict. Sharif praised Trump’s “leadership” and signalled Islamabad’s backing for a two-state solution, a stance that has drawn sharp criticism from political commentators, social media users, and sections of the public.

Backlash on Social Media

Within hours of Sharif’s endorsement, Pakistani citizens expressed outrage on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), accusing the Prime Minister of pleasing Washington and undermining Pakistan’s historic support for Palestine. Many criticised him for allegedly legitimising Israel, while others argued that Gaza cannot be demilitarised after 70,000 civilian casualties without addressing Israel’s control over security.

One X user said:

“Palestine will never be betrayed, nor will we allow any betrayal from our country. We categorically reject the Prime Minister's endorsement of Trump’s so-called Gaza Peace Plan.”

Another user questioned the practicality of the plan:

“How can Gaza be demilitarised while Israel maintains a security perimeter after such heavy civilian losses?”

Pakistan Officials Distance Themselves

Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar clarified that Pakistan had not authored the plan, emphasising that it is a US initiative. Speaking to Geo News, he said:

“This is not our document. There are some key areas we want addressed, and if they are not, we will ensure they are. Our priority is to secure a ceasefire, stop the bloodshed, allow humanitarian aid to flow, and end forced displacement.”

Dar also stated that Trump’s announcement should be seen as “an announcement from their side”, not as an official stance of Pakistan.

Critics Call It “Occupation Rebranded”

Many critics in Pakistan have described the peace plan as “occupation rebranded”, arguing that it primarily serves Israeli interests. Under the proposal, an international “Board of Peace” led by Trump would oversee Gaza until the Palestinian Authority is “reformed and ready,” a move perceived by many as stripping Palestinians of control over their own future.

As one social media user put it:

“Peace without justice is empty.”

Despite the backlash, Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed his support, stating his belief that Trump is committed to making the peace plan a reality.

Summary

The incident highlights growing public resentment and political debate in Pakistan over the country’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict. While Sharif seeks to project alignment with the US initiative, internal disagreements and widespread criticism indicate a challenging road ahead for Islamabad in balancing international diplomacy with domestic expectations.