Pakistani Clerics Warn Army Chief Asim Munir Over Gaza Plan, Accuse Army of Betraying Muslims

Islamabad: Pakistan Army Chief and newly elevated Field Marshal Asim Munir is facing growing domestic opposition over reports that Islamabad is considering deploying thousands of Pakistani troops to Gaza as part of a US-backed international security plan. Religious leaders and political clerics have warned that such a move would amount to a betrayal of the Muslim cause and Hamas.

According to reports, Pakistan is planning to deploy nearly 3,500 troops to Gaza under a proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF), envisioned as part of former US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan. The force is expected to include troops from Muslim-majority countries and would allegedly play a role in the disarmament of Hamas following an Israel–Hamas ceasefire.

Clerics Unite Against Munir’s Gaza Strategy

Opposition to the plan intensified this week after a high-level meeting of Pakistan’s top religious and political leaders was held in Karachi under the leadership of renowned Islamic scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani. The meeting brought together leaders from Deobandi, Barelvi, Ahl-e-Hadith, and Shia schools of thought, along with representatives from major religious-political parties such as Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and Jamaat-e-Islami.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the clerics expressed serious concern over reports suggesting growing international pressure on Muslim countries to provide troops to Gaza for security operations, particularly to disarm Hamas.

“Muslim nations are being asked to send their armies to disarm Hamas. Several Muslim countries have already refused. Now pressure is being exerted on Pakistan,” the statement said.

Strong Opposition to Troop Deployment

The clerics categorically opposed any deployment of Pakistani troops to Gaza, especially for disarming Hamas. They urged the Pakistani government to reject any proposal from Washington related to troop deployment and not to succumb to international pressure.

While Islamabad had earlier indicated conditional willingness to participate in an ISF, it had clarified that it would not take part in any operation aimed at disarming Hamas. However, recent reports have reignited fears that Pakistan may reconsider its position.

Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya recently reiterated that the group has the right to retain its weapons, while Israel has maintained that Hamas must be completely disarmed for any lasting peace in Gaza.

“A Duty of Every Muslim”

The clerics emphasized that supporting Palestine’s freedom is a religious obligation for Muslims worldwide. They warned that deploying Pakistani soldiers against Hamas would severely damage Pakistan’s standing in the Muslim world and could spark widespread unrest within the country.

The growing backlash highlights mounting internal pressure on Asim Munir and the Pakistani military establishment, raising serious questions about Islamabad’s role in Gaza and its alignment with US-led geopolitical strategies in the Middle East.