Is Pakistan going to disappoint Trump? Asim Munir's Gaza troop dilemma explained

Why Munir’s Trump bromance is a tightrope: Gaza troop decision sparks domestic dilemma

Pakistan is caught in a dilemma, trying to play the act of balancing appeasing Washington while managing a volatile domestic audience, as US President Donald Trump pressures the country to contribute troops to an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza.

Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief, Asim Munir, has not decided on contributing troops to the planned International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza, the Foreign Office clarified on Thursday, amid speculation that Washington is pressuring Islamabad to join the mission, according to Dawn.

“About Pakistan’s participation in the ISF, we have not taken a decision to participate in ISF as yet,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said during the weekly briefing. He added that no formal request to deploy troops has been received, despite ongoing international discussions on the force.

Must read: Trump wants Pakistani troops in Gaza: Why an easy yes could cost Asim Munir more than he gains

Munir is expected to visit Washington in the coming weeks to meet US President Donald Trump, marking their third meeting in six months, with talks likely to focus on the proposed Gaza force, Reuters reported.

The ISF forms a key part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan, endorsed by the UN Security Council in November, which aims to oversee security, demilitarisation, and reconstruction in Gaza. Pakistan had supported the UN resolution establishing the force, but has expressed reservations about taking on any role involving disarmament of Hamas.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had said Pakistan was ready “in principle” to contribute, pending clarity on the force’s mandate and terms of reference.

“We are definitely ready to contribute to the force; the prime minister has, in principle, already announced after consultation with the field marshal that we will contribute, but this decision cannot be taken until it is decided what its (ISF) mandate and TOR (terms of reference) will be,” Dar had noted.

How is it becoming a domestic challenge for Munir? 

Pakistan faces a delicate balancing act over the proposed Gaza stabilisation force, as potential deployment could trigger backlash from Islamist parties and public opinion, while refusal risks straining ties with the US, which seeks support from Muslim-majority nations.

The country could also face diplomatic pressure from Turkey, Oman, and Qatar, traditionally sympathetic to Hamas. Pakistan has never recognised Israel and has consistently supported the Palestinian cause, a stance dating back to 1948 when founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah opposed the creation of a Jewish state.

“Not contributing (to the Gaza stabilisation force) could annoy Trump, which is no small matter for a Pakistani state that appears quite keen to remain in his good graces, in great part to secure US investment and security aid,” said Michael Kugelman, Senior Fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council.

Defence analyst Ayesha Siddiqa noted that Pakistan’s military capacity adds pressure to participate, while Abdul Basit of Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies warned of swift domestic fallout if violence escalates.

Trump’s Gaza plan envisions an ISF drawn largely from Muslim nations, with a US-appointed two-star general overseeing operations from Israel. While Washington coordinates planning, there will be no US boots on the ground. Pakistan stands out among the invited nations due to its large, battle-hardened army and status as the only Muslim country with nuclear weapons.

Pakistan’s historical stance against Israel adds further complexity. Contributing troops under a US-led framework could be perceived domestically as supporting Israel, potentially igniting unrest.

Despite these risks, Munir is unlikely to reject Washington outright. His growing influence, recent appointment as chief of defence forces, and constitutional protections giving lifetime immunity provide him with significant latitude in decision-making.

Analysts say Munir’s Gaza dilemma underscores the contradictions of a military-dominated state trying to project itself as an Islamic defender at home while engaging in transactional foreign policy abroad.