Pakistan finds itself in a difficult diplomatic position after aggressively courting U.S. President Donald Trump, with Washington now pressing Army Chief General Asim Munir to deploy Pakistani troops to Gaza as part of a plan to disarm the militant group Hamas, according to sources cited by Reuters.
The report, quoting two sources familiar with the matter—including one closely involved in Pakistan’s economic diplomacy—said the Trump administration has asked Pakistan to contribute soldiers to a proposed Gaza stabilization force, whose mandate would include the disarmament of Hamas following Israel’s prolonged military campaign.
Asim Munir Likely to Be Called to White House Again
Reuters reported that General Munir has been invited to Washington once again, with a possible White House visit in the coming weeks. If the visit takes place, it would mark his third trip to the United States in six months, underscoring the growing pressure on Pakistan amid shifting geopolitical expectations.
The discussions are expected to focus on Trump’s 20‑point Gaza plan, which calls for the deployment of troops from Muslim‑majority countries to oversee reconstruction, economic revival, and security in Gaza, including the removal of weapons from Hamas to prevent renewed violence.
Reluctance Across Muslim World
The proposal has triggered unease across the Islamic world, where many governments do not officially designate Hamas as a terrorist organization. Analysts note that deploying troops to Gaza could expose participating countries to severe domestic backlash and entangle them in an open‑ended conflict.
Gaza has been left largely devastated after nearly two years of Israeli bombardment, while Israel has failed to completely eliminate Hamas. Several countries fear being perceived as pro‑Israel and anti‑Gaza, a politically explosive label at home.
Pakistan’s Domestic Risks
For Pakistan, the stakes are particularly high. Following a ceasefire in the Israel‑Hamas war, violent unrest erupted across the country, forcing General Munir to authorize lethal force to control protests. Observers warn that sending Pakistani troops to Gaza could spark widespread internal unrest, potentially pushing the country toward instability.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has already sought to draw a line, stating that while Pakistan may consider sending troops for peacekeeping purposes, it will not participate in disarming Hamas.
Between Trump’s Pressure and Internal Unrest
Analysts believe refusing Washington’s request could anger Trump, who has shown renewed interest in restoring U.S. investment and security cooperation with Pakistan. However, agreeing to the mission could provoke mass protests from Islamist groups, compound ongoing demonstrations by Imran Khan’s supporters, and risk internal conflict.
“General Munir rushed to build ties with Trump to counter India, but now that relationship is being tested,” one regional analyst noted.
As Pakistan weighs its options, it faces a stark dilemma: send troops to Gaza and risk domestic turmoil, or refuse and face potential fallout with the Trump administration.
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