By Junaid Qaiser
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s recent remarks have stirred quiet but intense discussion in Islamabad. Speaking on TV show, he confirmed that the government is still finalising its position on whether Pakistani troops will join the proposed Gaza peace force — a key component of the U.S.-brokered Gaza Peace Agreement. “This thing has to be finalised; it is in process,” he said, adding that the parliament and all institutions would be taken on board before a final decision is made.
For Pakistan, this isn’t just a policy consideration — it’s a potential inflection point. According to media reports, officials familiar with internal deliberations, discussions between the civilian and military leadership are now in their advanced stages. The tone, they say, suggests that Islamabad is leaning toward participation. If confirmed, it would signal a profound shift in Pakistan’s foreign policy — from rhetorical solidarity with the Palestinian cause to tangible involvement in shaping its future.
The International Stabilisation Force (ISF), envisioned under the Gaza Peace Agreement, will primarily consist of troops from Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia, Azerbaijan, and possibly Pakistan. Its mandate includes maintaining internal security, disarming militant factions, protecting border crossings, and facilitating humanitarian aid and reconstruction under a transitional Palestinian authority.
Officials argue that Pakistan’s involvement in this mission would not be symbolic but substantive. The country has one of the strongest peacekeeping legacies in the world — having contributed more than 200,000 troops to over 40 United Nations missions across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Their professionalism and credibility, honed over decades, make Pakistan a natural fit for the Gaza operation.
For Islamabad, the decision carries layers of meaning — moral, diplomatic, and strategic. On moral grounds, many in government circles see this as an opportunity for Pakistan to contribute to protecting Palestinians in a practical, internationally coordinated way. Diplomatically, the move would reaffirm Pakistan’s relevance in a region undergoing rapid transformation, where old certainties are fading and pragmatic cooperation is taking their place.
There are also clear strategic calculations. Pakistan’s relations with Washington have been dramatically improving since Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Participation in a U.S.-backed multilateral initiative could deepen that thaw, potentially unlocking avenues for defense support, investment, and regional influence. At the same time, Islamabad’s engagement in a peace mission endorsed by Arab partners could strengthen ties with Gulf capitals — vital for Pakistan’s economy and expatriate workforce.
Yet this path is not without its risks. Gaza remains one of the world’s most volatile territories, and any foreign troop presence will be politically sensitive. Many Pakistanis, long sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, may view participation in a U.S.-designed stabilization mission with suspicion — as alignment with Western or Israeli interests. Policymakers in Islamabad know this will be a delicate balancing act, requiring careful messaging to emphasize that Pakistan’s role would be humanitarian and peacekeeping, not political or partisan.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, echoed this sentiment when he said in an interview that if Pakistan’s military got the chance to help establish peace in Gaza, “there can be no better service to the Palestinian people.” Defence Minister Asif went further, saying he personally favoured the idea, calling it “a moment of pride for Pakistan to play a role in protecting Palestinians.”
For decades, Pakistan’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian issue was defined by moral clarity but strategic rigidity — declarations without direction. What seems to be unfolding now is a quieter, more purposeful approach: engagement without abandonment of principle. Islamabad is beginning to see that influence in today’s world depends not on isolation, but on participation — being at the table where decisions are made, rather than watching from the margins.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir appear aligned on this pragmatic turn. Both leaders have spoken about “durable peace” and “mutual security” as the foundation of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Their convergence marks a rare moment of harmony between civilian leadership and the military establishment, unified by a shared recognition that the world has changed — and Pakistan must change with it.
Even international observers have taken note. When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented two maps at the United Nations — one showing “the curse” and the other “the blessing” in the Middle East — Pakistan was not among the countries marked as part of the “curse.” The symbolism did not go unnoticed; it suggested that Pakistan’s evolving posture toward engagement and peacebuilding is being recognised beyond its borders. Increasingly, Islamabad is seen not as an outlier, but as part of what some call an “Axis of Renaissance” — a bloc of nations redefining their relevance through pragmatism and cooperation.
If Pakistani troops ultimately deploy to Gaza, they will not go as combatants but as peacekeepers — to rebuild, stabilize, and protect. It would be a continuation of Pakistan’s long-standing tradition of contributing to international peace, and a visible expression of its readiness to shoulder responsibility in an uncertain region.
This evolution in Pakistan’s approach reflects maturity — a recognition that influence grows through contribution, not confrontation. Joining the Gaza peace force would not just mark a new phase in Pakistan’s foreign policy; it would also announce to the world that the country is ready to act on its principles, not merely declare them.
In a region long defined by division and distrust, that willingness to lead through peace may well be Pakistan’s most significant diplomatic step in years — a move from rhetoric to responsibility.
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