Pakistan in a Dilemma: To Please Trump or Protect Public Sentiment Over Gaza

Islamabad/Washington: Pakistan appears to be caught in a delicate balancing act over participation in the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza, reportedly under pressure from U.S. President . While the Trump administration is preparing to release details of the ISF deployment, Pakistan has not publicly clarified whether its troops will be involved.

Pakistani Army Chief and Prime Minister have remained deliberately vague about the country’s position, wary of domestic opposition to sending forces abroad.

Upcoming Washington Summit

The Board of Peace is scheduled to hold its first formal meeting on February 19 in Washington. President Trump is expected to present a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza and outline the structure and mandate of the ISF. Pakistani participation in the summit has been confirmed, but its stance on sending troops remains undisclosed.

Discussions with U.S. Officials

During last week’s Munich Security Conference, Asim Munir reportedly discussed the ISF with U.S. Secretary of State ****. While details of the conversation were not made public, the discussion included the possible deployment of Pakistani soldiers.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister **** has previously indicated that Islamabad would only consider participation if its role is strictly limited to peacekeeping and humanitarian stabilization. The Pakistani military would not engage Hamas or target other Palestinian groups.

The Domestic Dilemma

The government faces a difficult choice. Rejecting participation could risk U.S. displeasure, while involvement may spark domestic backlash. Pakistani public opinion has expressed anger over U.S. and Israeli policies in Gaza, and any military presence could be seen as siding against Palestinian sentiment. Officials fear that such a perception could create political difficulties at home for both Munir and Sharif.

Pakistan is thus navigating a complex situation, trying to maintain good relations with Washington while avoiding actions that could provoke public outrage over Gaza.