Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership is set to step into a high-risk diplomatic gamble at Davos, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir prepare for a crucial engagement with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. At a time when Islamabad is facing deep economic distress, mounting domestic unrest and shrinking global credibility, the outreach to Trump is being seen less as strategic diplomacy and more as political survival.
Critics within Pakistan have already accused the government of “following Trump’s diktat to stay in his good books,” warning that Islamabad is trading principle for proximity to power. The optics are stark. A cash-strapped Pakistan, led by a dominant military establishment, appears ready to align itself with a controversial US-led Gaza framework in the hope of economic relief and political cover.
According to top security sources cited by CNN-News18, Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir are scheduled to meet Trump to discuss Pakistan’s possible role in the proposed International Stabilisation Force for Gaza, as well as the broader Gaza “Board of Peace” initiative being pushed by the Trump administration. Munir has already arrived in Davos ahead of the talks, underlining the military’s central role in shaping Pakistan’s foreign and security policy.
Sources say Islamabad has given a partial, in-principle nod to joining the US-backed framework, even as major operational and political questions remain unresolved. The discussions are expected to extend well beyond Gaza, with Pakistan seeking economic assistance, security cooperation and longer-term strategic guarantees from Washington in return for its participation.
This outreach comes amid growing criticism at home. As reported earlier by Moneycontrol, Pakistan’s decision to join Trump’s Gaza peace initiatives has already triggered backlash from opposition leaders, diplomats and civil society voices who argue that the move undermines public sentiment and risks entangling Pakistan in a deeply divisive conflict. Several critics have warned that the government is prioritising Trump’s approval over parliamentary scrutiny and national consensus.
The most sensitive issue remains troop deployment. Security sources told CNN-News18 that Pakistan’s leadership is expected to flag domestic legal and ideological constraints to Trump, including Pakistan’s non-recognition of Israel and the prohibition on travel to Israel for Pakistani citizens. Coordination with Israeli forces, command structures and rules of engagement are all unresolved.
Despite these hurdles, Islamabad is reportedly exploring ways to frame any future involvement as a peacekeeping and stabilisation mission rather than political alignment. According to sources, Pakistan may also seek a leadership role within the stabilisation force, positioning itself as a representative of multiple Muslim-majority countries involved in the Board of Peace.
The timing raises uncomfortable questions. Pakistan is simultaneously seeking a $2.5 billion debt rollover from the UAE and remains under pressure from international lenders. Analysts cited by Moneycontrol note that Islamabad’s eagerness to align with Trump appears driven as much by economic desperation as by diplomacy.
For now, the Davos meeting underscores a familiar pattern. Pakistan’s foreign policy, dominated by its military leadership, continues to chase short-term leverage in Washington, even as the domestic political cost mounts and public opposition grows louder.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
