The United States is ratcheting up pressure on Pakistan to contribute troops for participation in an international “stabilization force” in Gaza, which could spark widespread unrest in the region and further destabilize the already volatile politics in Pakistan.
As per Reuters, Trump is likely to bring up this matter himself with Asim Munir during his upcoming visit to Washington. This would be their third encounter in just six months. This reiterates that Pakistan’s possible involvement matters a great deal to Trump’s administration.
At issue is a plan said to be Trump’s for the Gaza Strip in which an international force is to supervise reconstruction and security after the devastating Israeli military assault, which has killed over 72,000 Palestinians, the vast majority of whom are women and children.
What washington wants from pakistan
The ‘Gaza stabilization force,’ is intended to comprise troops from a variety of states, and every attempt will be made to ensure that Muslim-majority states participate. The US has made it clear that it will not contribute troops of its own but wants the burden borne by the international community.
Washington sees Pakistan as an enticing participant. It has an extensive military with fighting experience and strong peacekeeping credentials, as well as substantial Islamist influence. Members of US administrations consider participation by Pakistan to be a factor in mitigating wariness among Arab states, who do not want to be perceived as enforcing Israeli will.
However, some countries that have been asked to provide troops by the United States have already refused to do so on the basis that there is a lack of a clear legal framework for such an assault and that it may put them on a collision course with Hamas. Furthermore, they oppose a solution that consolidates Israeli rule rather than a Palestinian statehood solution.
Why the plan is toxic inside pakistan
Gaza conflict is not a far-off event for Pakistan. Pakistan has never accepted the state of Israel and has been supporting the Palestinian cause since the start of Israel in 1948. Now, the passport of Pakistan does not allow travel to Israel.
The Gaza war that broke out in October 2023 has increased anti-Israeli feelings considerably. Pakistani leaders have called the acts of Israel genocide and war crimes on the part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, terms that Israel disputes.
Against this background, the involvement of Pakistani forces in Gaza according to a US proposal is quite likely to trigger a reaction in Pakistan itself. Religious parties and organizations as well as most Pakistanis would interpret such a step as giving implicit approval to Israeli occupation in Gaza. Demonstrations in big cities like Lahore and Karachi might get out of control.
Of course, even the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, has been put into his place, with the statement that while Muslims might consider participating in peacekeeping, yet “disarming Hamas just isn’t our problem.”
Munir’s Personal and Political Crisis
Munir finds himself in a typical Catch-22 situation. Since taking over the chief of army staff position, he has been attempting to project himself as a pious Muslim and upholder of Islamic values. This allowed him to build more power in his country, especially when the former prime minister, Imran Khan is under arrest.
authorizing troops to deploy in Gaza can prove endangering to the well-crafted image. Islamist factions and supporters of Khan, who are already skeptical of the army leadership, would view it as a kind of backstabbing.
However, refusing to accede to Washington’s demands also holds dangers. Islamabad is eager to normalize its relations with the US after several years of adverse relations. Experts predict that disobeying President Trump might put future official aid and investments at stake.
As pointed out by Michael Kugelman of the Atlantic Council, “needling Trump is no small matter” to a country that wants to be on the right side of the Trump administration. Defence analyst Ayesha Siddiqa goes on to add that “Pakistan’s military strength brings pressure on Munir to ‘deliver’ on demand.
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Power does not erase consequences
Munir is obviously a person of vast power. Today, Munir heads the Army, Air Force, and Navy, is a field marshal, has complete immunity from prosecution, with an extended tenure till 2030. Very few people in Pakistan’s history have enjoyed such strong institutional protections.
However, power doesn’t necessarily absorb political blowback. Experts have pointed out that if any violence occurs in Gaza during the presence of Pakistani forces, popular resentment may shift overnight against the military leaders. Abdul Basit at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore adds that it is likely that Pakistanis, after hearing the blasts in Gaza, might well think that Munir is “doing Israel’s bidding.”
Munir has been carrying out consultations in recent weeks with military and civilian officials of various countries, including Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Jordan.
A decision that offers no safe outcome
This leaves the Pakistani government with an unpleasant decision to make. Going ahead to fulfill the American request might spark widespread riots in the country, thereby escalating the already troublesome internal stability for the government. On the other hand, refusing the American government might deteriorate the relationship that the Pakistani government needs for economic relief. Absent widespread international support and mandate by international law, international observers believe that an international force in Gaza could end up provoking additional unrest while instead seeking to stabilize the area. For Munir, the Gaza issue is far more complex than something simply related to foreign policy. It is a litmus test of just how much the strongest man in Pakistan is willing to defy the popular sentiment on this issue, and what the consequence of this stance is likely to be.
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