US President Donald Trump has hailed Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir for throwing their weight behind Washington’s new 20-point Gaza peace initiative. However on home front, the Pakistani PM is facing intense criticism after welcoming Trump’s proposed 20-point Gaza peace plan. Many in Pakistan have condemned the plan as an attempt to whitewash what they describe as Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shehbaz Sharif expressed support for the plan, saying he believes “lasting peace between the people of Palestine and Israel is essential for regional political stability and economic progress.” He praised Trump’s “leadership” and envoy Steve Witkoff’s “efforts” to end the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza, calling a two-state solution “indispensable” for sustainable peace. But the public reaction in Pakistan has been overwhelmingly hostile.
Within hours, social media erupted in outrage. Users accused Sharif of “pleasing Washington,” “burying Pakistan’s long-standing position on Palestine,” and “legitimizing Israel in a single tweet.”
Actress Sakina Samo commented: “Under Trump’s leadership? Absolutely not. This plan is completely unjust.”
Others called it “a new name for occupation” and “a blatant display of American power.” One user bluntly labeled it “a trap.”
One user wrote: “We Pakistanis cannot decide what Palestinians want. When 70,000 civilians have been killed, how can Gaza be disarmed while Israel keeps its security shield?”
Another reminded: “We have a responsibility to the Palestinian people — not just because of religion, but because we oppose colonial oppression. Supporting Trump’s plan means siding with genocide and a settler state.”
A third user emphasized: “Neither occupying powers nor foreign actors have the right to determine Palestine’s future. Palestine needs freedom, justice, and an end to racism — not hollow plans.”
Critics argue the plan serves U.S. and Israeli interests rather than Palestinians. It proposes that Gaza be governed by an international “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump, with the Palestinian Authority gaining control only after “reforms,” and with no role for Hamas in any future government. Gaza would be completely demilitarized.
Many pointed to Point 9 of the plan — which assigns Gaza’s control to the “Board of Peace” — as a summary of the entire agenda.
For many, Sharif’s endorsement doesn’t look like diplomacy but surrender. As one user put it:
“Peace without justice is an empty word. Unconditional support is betrayal.”
There is NO “two-state solution.” Palestine always has and always will belong to the Palestinian people. Neither foreign powers nor occupiers have the right to decide the future of Palestine. Palestine needs freedom, justice and the end of apartheid—not empty plans. https://t.co/K913iKaHHO
— Aimen (@aimen657) September 30, 2025
We’ve a responsibility to the Palestinian people. Not bcoz we share the same faith but bcoz we oppose colonial subjugation. We oppose it bcoz we were once subjugated to it. By supporting Trump’s plan, we stand one with the genocide and the settler colonial state. Oppose it now! https://t.co/G4mjetYoMH
— Fahd Ali (@econalif) September 30, 2025
Pakistan has long maintained that it will not recognize Israel until Palestinians are granted their rights. But for many, Shehbaz Sharif’s statement signaled a soft U-turn on that red line — something the public is unwilling to forgive.
As one viral tweet warned: “History will remember this betrayal.”
I strongly condemn this statement by the PM of Pakistan, as a Pakistani.
If Pakistan wants to recognize Israel, that’s up to the government and its people. But one thing is clear: we as Pakistanis cannot decide what the Palestinian people want. How can Gaza be demilitarized while… https://t.co/UEFDlKf8h5— ARSALAN (@MuhamadArsalan_) September 30, 2025
