Washington: Pakistan has found itself in a politically sensitive and diplomatically complicated position over the ongoing Gaza crisis, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif prepares to visit the United States this week for a high-level meeting chaired by US President Donald Trump. The meeting, being held under the framework of the proposed “Gaza Board of Peace,” is expected to discuss the formation of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza.
According to a report by Reuters, citing three Pakistani sources, Islamabad is seeking assurances from Washington that any Pakistani troops deployed in Gaza will be assigned strictly to a peacekeeping mission and will not be involved in direct fighting against Hamas.
The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, will reportedly include delegations from at least 20 countries, making it one of the most significant international diplomatic initiatives regarding Gaza in recent months.
Pakistan Wants Guarantee: Troops Will Not Fight Hamas
Reuters quoted Pakistani government sources stating that Pakistan is willing to contribute soldiers to the proposed international force, but only under conditions that clearly define the mission, authority, and command structure.
A close aide of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reportedly told Reuters:
“We are ready to send troops. But our soldiers can only be part of a peace mission in Gaza. We will not take part in any role such as disarming Hamas. That is out of the question.”
The report suggests that Pakistan wants clarity on the goals of the ISF, under what legal authority it will operate, and what the chain of command would be before making any final commitment.
Domestic Pressure Mounts on Islamabad
The potential deployment has triggered political anxiety within Pakistan, where sending troops to Gaza could spark public outrage and deepen internal instability. Analysts believe Islamabad is attempting to manage domestic opposition by portraying the mission as purely humanitarian and peace-oriented.
However, geopolitical experts argue that the claim of Pakistan demanding such guarantees from Trump could be a tactical narrative designed to mislead public opinion at home.
Many observers believe Pakistan’s leadership—Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir—may not be in a position to reject or resist American pressure if Washington demands a broader military role.
What the “Gaza Board of Peace” Meeting May Announce
Reports indicate that President Trump may use the meeting to announce a major financial and military roadmap for Gaza’s future. Expected developments include:
- A multi-billion-dollar aid package for Gaza
- An initial funding announcement of nearly $5 billion
- A detailed plan for the International Stabilisation Force (ISF)
- Discussions on forming a force capable of disarming Hamas
- A proposal for setting up a technocratic committee to administer Gaza
Thousands of International Troops May Be Deployed
The Reuters report suggests that the plan could involve deploying thousands of international troops and police personnel to Gaza. Indonesia has reportedly already expressed readiness to send around 8,000 troops, while Pakistan is also believed to have tentatively agreed to send several thousand soldiers.
Pakistan’s Gaza Move Raises Strategic Questions
Pakistan’s willingness to send troops into a conflict zone like Gaza is being seen as a major shift, raising questions about its broader strategic calculations and its alignment with Washington’s Middle East agenda.
If Pakistan formally commits troops under a US-led framework, it could lead to serious political backlash domestically and complicate Islamabad’s relations with various regional powers.
As the Gaza conflict continues to reshape global diplomacy, Pakistan’s upcoming engagement with Trump could prove to be a defining moment—not just for Gaza, but also for Pakistan’s own foreign policy credibility.
Discover more from SD NEWS agency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.