Pakistan’s risky peacekeeper pitch: Asim Munir seeks Gaza ISF role but wants time to manage domestic fallout

A broken frame of Pakistan's field marshal and army chief, Asim Munir, hangs on the wall after an attack at the Cadet College Wana, a military-linked school, in the South Waziristan district near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, on November 13, 2025. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)

Pakistan has conditionally offered to send troops to Gaza under a US-backed stabilisation force, seeking political cover and operational clarity amid domestic unrest and economic woes. Israel opposes Pakistan’s involvement, complicating Islamabad’s ambitions.

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Pakistan has indicated a conditional willingness to send troops to Gaza as part of a proposed International Stabilisation Force, even as it grapples with economic distress, domestic unrest, and growing scrutiny over its contradictory positions on militancy. The move, discussed quietly at the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlights Islamabad’s attempt to stay in Washington’s good books while balancing internal political sensitivities and external credibility gaps.

Despite projecting itself as a potential security contributor, Pakistan is seeking political cover, operational clarity, and time to manage domestic backlash. This cautious approach comes amid reports of Pakistan weighing the deployment of up to 3,500 troops to Gaza under a US-backed framework, even as it seeks debt relief from allies and faces accusations of maintaining links with extremist networks.

What Pakistan told the US at Davos

According to sources cited by CNN-News18, the issue featured prominently in meetings between Pakistani and American officials on the sidelines of Davos. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir were part of the engagements, which included discussions with US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Pakistani officials conveyed that Islamabad is “in principle” prepared to contribute troops to an international force focused on post-conflict stabilisation and humanitarian support in Gaza. However, they stressed the need for clarity on the mandate, command structure, and political end-state of the force, along with time to shape a domestic narrative given strong sensitivities around Gaza.

Munir pushes security bargain with Washington

A top security source told CNN-News18 that Munir assured US officials of Pakistan’s willingness to provide security cooperation and possible troop deployment under an international framework.

In return, Pakistan sought deeper strategic engagement with Washington, particularly on counter-terrorism. Munir briefed Trump and Rubio on what Islamabad claims is a surge in militant activity along its western borders, linking it to developments in Afghanistan.

Pakistan is pushing for enhanced intelligence sharing and long-term security cooperation, even as critics point out Islamabad’s own record of selective counter-terrorism and its tolerance of groups with regional agendas. Reports have also flagged concerns over a growing Hamas-Lashkar nexus, raising questions about Pakistan’s reliability as a stabilising force.

Israel’s resistance and diplomatic roadblocks

The talks also exposed major diplomatic hurdles. US officials informed Pakistan that Israel is uncomfortable with the participation of Pakistan and Türkiye in any Gaza stabilisation force.

This resistance complicates Islamabad’s ambitions, especially as Pakistan simultaneously signals interest in joining Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, a move that has already triggered backlash at home. Critics within Pakistan argue that aligning with US-led initiatives on Gaza contradicts Islamabad’s public posturing and risks inflaming domestic opinion.

Economic pressures and strategic overreach

Beyond security, Davos discussions touched on economic cooperation, including crypto frameworks, mining, and minerals. However, Pakistan’s outreach comes at a time when it is seeking a 2.5 billion dollar debt rollover from the UAE and remains dependent on external bailouts.

Sources said both sides agreed to set up a joint working group on Gaza, counter-terrorism, and regional stability. Further talks are expected in February or March.

For now, Pakistan’s pitch to play peacekeeper in Gaza appears less about stabilisation and more about strategic survival, even as contradictions in its security posture continue to undermine its credibility.