The question of whether Pakistan should contribute troops to a proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza demands far more than a simple yes or no. It requires a careful strategic, moral and diplomatic assessment of the context in which this force is being conceived – and of the implications for Pakistan’s foreign policy, credibility and long-standing commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Over the past weeks, Pakistan’s engagements with key states suggest that Islamabad is being consulted closely. Pakistan’s participation in the recent US and Saudi-led discussions on Gaza shows that it is already confronted with the decision on whether to join the ISF – a mission that, on the surface, seeks stability but is deeply entangled in complex political dynamic.
The ISF is emerging within the framework of Donald Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan, endorsed by Washington, Riyadh and several Arab governments. Israel is not actively supporting it nor vehemently opposing it but carving space for its action independent, even if violative, of the Plan. Trump’s Gaza Plan aims to reconstruct Gaza and ensure “peace through security” – yet its operational details and indeed early operational problems triggered by Israel, raise profound questions.
At its core, the plan envisages Gaza under international supervision, its governance reshaped and Hamas disarmed as a precondition for ‘normalisation’. It is here that Pakistan’s potential role becomes complex.
Islamabad has consistently condemned Israel’s genocide in Gaza, upheld Palestinians’ right to self-determination, and reiterated that a viable Palestinian state must rest on pre-1967 borders, in accordance with UN resolutions. Any Pakistani participation in an ISF whose mandate or chain of command undermines these principles would directly contradict decades of policy and moral stance.
The first critical question is whether the ISF will be established under a UN Security Council resolution or under a US initiative aligned with the Trump Plan, effectively placing command within a Washington-centred structure. If the latter, Pakistan must examine the mandate in depth. Will the ISF’s mission be to protect Palestinian civilians, ensure unimpeded humanitarian assistance, oversee reconstruction and actively prevent renewed Israeli aggression? Or will ISF’s function, as feared by many, be limited to enforcing a fragile ceasefire, disarming Hamas and policing Palestinians – effectively ‘sanitising’ Gaza while Israel retains de-facto control?
Unless the mandate explicitly guarantees Palestinian security and autonomy, and not merely Israel’s comfort, Pakistan’s involvement would risk legitimising an occupation in all but name.
Equally vital is the issue of command and control. Who will lead this multinational force? Who will have the final word in operational decisions? For Pakistan, the answer is critical in determining credibility and operational safety. Pakistani troops cannot be deployed under a command structure that might, even indirectly, place them in confrontation with Palestinian resistance groups.
Israel’s conduct since the announcement of Trump’s Gaza Plan hardly inspires confidence. Despite declarations of restraint, Israeli airstrikes and ground incursions have continued intermittently. Civilian casualties remain high, infrastructure is shattered and humanitarian access remains restricted. How then can an international force ensure ‘stability’? The ISF cannot succeed unless Israel is compelled to respect international law, withdraw from occupied areas and end its blockade.
Pakistan has a long and respected history of contributing to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide. Its troops have earned international recognition for professionalism and neutrality. Yet this very experience cautions against joining any mission lacking a clearly defined, legitimate and impartial mandate. Twice before, Pakistan has faced similar dilemmas and acted with wisdom. In the 1950s, despite US pressure, Pakistan refused to send troops to the Korean War. Subsequently in 2015, it politely declined a close and dependable friend Saudi Arabia’s request to send forces to Yemen. Both cases demonstrated Pakistan’s ability to take difficult but principled and wisely communicated decisions.
Today, Pakistan again faces a delicate test of diplomacy and statecraft. It must navigate between the expectations of close allies and the imperatives of its own credibility, given its moral and historical commitment to Palestine. A hasty decision to join the ISF could risk compromising Pakistan’s independent foreign policy. Conversely, an outright rejection, if not carefully explained, could strain relations with key partners. The answer lies in articulate diplomacy.
Pakistan could, for instance, support the ISF only under a UN mandate, with an explicit commitment to protect Palestinian civilians and oversee reconstruction – not to enforce Israel’s dominance. Short of such assurances, Pakistan should limit its role to humanitarian and reconstruction efforts: rebuilding hospitals, water systems and educational infrastructure in Gaza. The risk for Pakistan lies in being drawn into a military scenario scripted by others – one that could pit Muslim soldiers against Palestinians, while Israel remains beyond scrutiny. The US’s historical tilt towards Israel and the lack of credible enforcement mechanisms make this a tangible danger.
Pakistan’s decision must therefore be guided by strategic autonomy, moral clarity and national interest – not by transient diplomatic pressure or some quick-fix solutions. Pakistan’s long-standing policy has been clear: unwavering support for the Palestinian right to statehood, resistance to occupation and commitment to justice. Contributing troops to an ISF whose command and objectives contradict these principles would erode that legacy.
If ISF command and mandate remain murky then the wiser and prudent course may be to not contribute to Gaza’s policing but to its relief and healing – through humanitarian, reconstruction and medical missions. Pakistan’s voice will carry greater moral weight if it advocates for a UN-mandated stabilisation mechanism that reins in Israeli violations, enables reconstruction and upholds Palestinian representation. Pakistan’s friends and allies will ultimately respect a decision grounded in principle and logic.
The writer is a senior journalist. She tweets nasimzehra and can be reached at: nasimzehragmail.com