Why Trump’s Call For Pakistani Troops In Gaza Puts Asim Munir In A Tight Spot

Last Updated:December 18, 2025, 11:18 IST

Trump’s Gaza plan includes a stabilisation force, and Pakistan is under pressure to join, but Munir faces political, religious and diplomatic hurdles at home.

US President Donald Trump during a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House.

Pakistan army chief Asim Munir is facing growing pressure from the United States to commit Pakistani troops to a proposed Stabilisation Force in Gaza. The force is part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza’s transition period, a framework that has received backing from the United Nations. Washington has been pushing several Muslim-majority countries with strong militaries to take part, and Pakistan is among those being approached.

Peace efforts in Gaza have remained stalled for more than two months under a shaky ceasefire that drew on elements of Trump’s plan. The ceasefire has been marked by allegations of major breaches, including accusations directed at Israel, and discussions about the proposed stabilisation force have become central to international engagement on Gaza. For countries invited to join the mission, the issue is not only about the responsibilities involved but also how such participation would be viewed domestically.

Munir’s situation is particularly sensitive. Public sentiment in Pakistan has hardened during the Gaza war, long-standing positions on Israel remain deeply rooted, and political tensions at home continue to run high. At the same time, Munir is preparing for his third visit to Washington in less than six months, a sign of the attention the United States is directing towards Pakistan’s role.

What Exactly Is The Gaza Stabilisation Force The US Wants Pakistan To Join?

The stabilisation force is central to Trump’s 20-point plan, which outlines a period of reconstruction, economic revival and security arrangements for Gaza after more than two years of Israeli military operations. According to Axios, Trump intends to appoint a two-star US general to lead the force. Washington has set up coordination headquarters in Israel to manage planning and oversight, and the White House has stated that the US will not deploy its own troops on the ground.

A conference in Qatar brought together dozens of countries to discuss how the force might be formed and what responsibilities it would carry. Those invited included Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, Italy, France, the UK and Azerbaijan. Turkey, which has been a vocal backer of Hamas and a regional rival of Israel, was not invited.

Many of the invited countries remain hesitant. Israel expects that any stabilisation force will take on the task of disarming Hamas, a role few governments are willing to assume given the risk of escalation and the possibility of becoming drawn into prolonged conflict. Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar said that Islamabad could consider contributing troops for peacekeeping but made clear that disarming Hamas “is not our job."

Why Pakistan’s Anti-Israel Position Makes Troop Deployment So Sensitive

Pakistan’s position on Israel dates back to 1948, when Muhammad Ali Jinnah opposed the creation of a Jewish state. The country has never recognised Israel, has no diplomatic relations with it and its passport specifies that it is not valid for travel to Israel. Pakistan also views Israel as a close strategic partner of India. Over time, this approach has become embedded as domestic orthodoxy.

Islamabad did not join the Abraham Accords, which normalised relations between several Muslim-majority countries and Israel. It has maintained that recognition can only come after the creation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Gaza war that began in October 2023 intensified public sentiment. Pakistan has described Israel’s actions as genocide, referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a terrorist and accused him of war crimes, accusations that Israel has rejected. Islamist parties, clerics and large sections of the population hold strong pro-Palestinian positions and have the capacity to mobilise quickly.

The government banned a powerful anti-Israel Islamist party in October and arrested more than 1,500 of its supporters, but the ideology behind such groups remains influential. Supporters of former jailed Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose candidates won the most seats in the 2024 national elections, also oppose Munir. In this environment, any step that appears to place Pakistani forces in a mission associated with expectations set by Israel carries domestic risks. Israel’s position that the stabilisation force must disarm Hamas adds to the sensitivity of the decision for Islamabad.

How Domestic Politics And Islamist Mobilisation Trap Munir

Munir has projected himself as a devout Muslim and a defender of Islamic values since assuming command of the army. A deployment to Gaza under a US-directed framework could be viewed by his critics as inconsistent with that image. Domestic political tensions have also remained high due to Imran Khan’s imprisonment, creating conditions in which reactions to foreign policy decisions could intensify rapidly.

Contributing troops could spark domestic backlash. Abdul Basit, Senior Associate Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of Studies, warned that perceptions could turn sharply, saying: “People will say ‘Asim Munir is doing Israel’s bidding’ — it will be foolhardy of anyone not to see it coming."

Pakistan could also face reactions from states such as Turkey, Oman and Qatar, which have historically taken more sympathetic positions towards Hamas. Munir must therefore balance both internal and external sensitivities as he considers how to respond to US pressure.

What Happens If Pakistan Says No, And Why Munir Fears Annoying Trump

Despite the risks within Pakistan, Munir remains under pressure to maintain strong ties with Washington. He has invested considerable effort in repairing the relationship following years of mistrust between the US and Pakistan. In June, Trump hosted him for a White House lunch, the first time a US president met Pakistan’s army chief alone without civilian leaders present.

The United States recently cleared a USD 686 million F-16 sustainment package for Pakistan, which heightened concerns in India about renewed military cooperation between Washington and Islamabad. For Pakistan, support from the US remains important for investment, security assistance and international positioning.

Michael Kugelman, Senior Fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council, stated: “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."

Munir’s influence within Pakistan has expanded significantly. He was recently appointed chief of the defence forces, a role that places the air force and navy under his authority. He has been granted an extension until 2030, given lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution under recent constitutional amendments and retains his field marshal title.

Kugelman noted: “Few people in Pakistan enjoy the luxury of being able to take risks more than Munir. He has unbridled power, now constitutionally protected… Ultimately, it will be Munir’s rules, and his rules only."

Why Every Option Carries A Downside For Munir And Pakistan

Munir has recently held meetings with leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and Qatar. Analysts believe these engagements are part of broader consultations related to the proposed stabilisation force. However, these meetings do not resolve the core challenge facing Pakistan.

If Islamabad agrees to send troops, it risks domestic unrest, criticism from political rivals, mobilisation by Islamist groups and reactions from states that have taken positions sympathetic to Hamas. If Pakistan declines, it risks damaging its relationship with Trump at a moment when it is seeking continued US investment, military assistance and diplomatic support.

Pakistan’s military establishment has often depended on external relationships for resources and validation, even when doing so has created internal complications. Munir’s current dilemma fits within this pattern of navigating external expectations and domestic constraints.

Whichever option he chooses will carry implications that extend beyond the mission itself.

News explainers Why Trump’s Call For Pakistani Troops In Gaza Puts Asim Munir In A Tight Spot

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