By Junaid Qaiser
The United States is not wasting any time on Gaza. Right after the UN Security Council approved Resolution 2803—the core of Washington’s “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict”—a new proposal started gaining ground: the International Stabilization Force (ISF). And as the idea moves toward reality, all eyes are turning to an unexpected place: Islamabad.
Pakistan is not just following along. It has the world’s largest Muslim military, genuine peacekeeping experience, and strong credibility in the Arab world. Many see Pakistan as a central player in this mission. Pakistan supported the UN resolution, but not without reservations. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed was clear about his concerns: nobody really knows how the ISF will operate, what role the UN will play in Gaza, or how this new Board of Peace is supposed to function. These aren’t minor details—they could decide whether the mission brings real justice or just covers up the problems.
Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts have intensified in recent months. Jordan’s King Abdullah II visited Islamabad for talks. Pakistan’s Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and prime minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Egypt, Jordan, and Washington. Pakistan just signed a new defense agreement with Saudi Arabia. The message is unmistakable: Pakistan is now at the center of major discussions about the post-war future.
Pakistan has always supported the Palestinian cause. Now, those words matter more. It’s the only Muslim nation with nuclear weapons. Arab leaders listen to it. Palestinians respect it. At this moment, Pakistan is the bridge many want—and, frankly, the one they need.
Still, Islamabad is not going to rush in without setting conditions. According to former Pakistani ambassador Husain Haqqani, it’s no surprise that many Muslim-majority countries are considering this mission, as he shared with DW. He says, the European Union, along with the United States, Germany, and several other Western nations, has labeled Hamas—a group whose attack on Israel in October 2023 sparked the ongoing conflict in Gaza—as a terrorist organization. On the flip side, support for Hamas remains strong throughout the Arab world. Haqqani explains that this is why “the Pakistani people, Israel, and the Pakistani government believe that the stabilization of the Gaza Strip cannot be left solely in the hands of Western armed forces.” Currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington DC, Haqqani pointed out that US President Trump likely understands this dynamic as well. Trump has been reaching out to Muslim-majority nations for troop contributions because, as Haqqani noted, “it would be more reassuring for the Palestinians and the people in the Gaza Strip if the stabilization forces stationed there were not seen as supporters of Israel.”
Gaza is emotionally charged for Pakistanis. The Palestinian cause unites politicians from all backgrounds, people of all ideologies, and different religious groups.
However, walking away from this moment has its own cost. If Pakistan’s involvement is structured properly, it can help make this mission about more than just ending violence. It can help restore rights. It can enhance Pakistan’s reputation among Muslim countries, rebuild trust with global partners, and show that true peacekeeping means standing by your principles, not just displaying power.
Still, some big questions remain unanswered. Pakistan’s cautious approach isn’t about pride or publicity. It’s about reality—and responsibility. This is a chance to help shape the future for people who have been denied one for generations due to violence.
This decision is a test: can Muslim countries truly take the lead in building peace, instead of following traditional political rhetoric? Can they create a peaceful and lasting solution themselves? If Pakistan leads, it should lead Gaza toward peace and prosperity.
The ISF could become a turning point for the region. Whether it becomes a turning point for lasting peace depends on decisions that are still to be made in Islamabad.
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