Islamabad: Pakistan’s military establishment has found itself at the centre of a major international diplomatic initiative after United States President Donald Trump intensified efforts to enlist Islamabad’s support for a proposed Gaza stabilization force, heightening scrutiny of the country’s most powerful military leader, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
The Trump-backed plan, part of a 20-point strategy to manage the aftermath of prolonged conflict in Gaza, calls for a multinational peace and reconstruction force drawn largely from Muslim-majority nations. Washington officials are reportedly keen for Pakistan to commit troops to the mission a move that could significantly elevate Islamabad’s geopolitical profile but also trigger strong domestic opposition.
Sources familiar with deliberations have indicated that Munir is likely to travel to Washington in the coming weeks for a third meeting with President Trump within six months. The agenda is widely expected to centre on Pakistan’s potential role in the Gaza stabilisation effort. This series of engagements underscores a warming in ties between the United States and Pakistan, even as scepticism persists among traditional allies and within Pakistan’s own population.
Analysts note that not participating in the initiative could strain Pakistan’s relationship with Washington at a time when Islamabad is eager to attract investment and security assistance. “Not contributing to the force could annoy Trump, which is no small matter for a Pakistani state keen to remain in his good graces,” said Michael Kugelman, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.
Backed by sweeping constitutional changes, Munir has rapidly consolidated authority over Pakistan’s military. Recent legislative amendments have elevated him to the newly created position of Chief of Defense Forces, granting him command across the army, navy and air force branches and extending his tenure until at least 2030. Under the reforms, he also enjoys lifetime immunity from prosecution, protections that critics say undermine checks on military authority and weaken democratic institutions.
Political observers see this shift as part of a broader realignment within Pakistan’s power structure, where the military has historically been a dominant force in governance. The amendments also abolished the long-standing position of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and granted expanded legal safeguards to top military leaders moves that have drawn criticism from opposition figures and civil-rights advocates.
Despite the government’s diplomatic overtures, support for any role in Gaza remains controversial within Pakistan. Islamist parties wield significant influence and have mobilised against perceived alignment with U.S. or Israeli interests. Analysts warn that troop deployment under a U.S.-backed mandate could provoke protests and political instability at home.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has publicly indicated that while Islamabad would consider contributing to peacekeeping functions, it would not take on the sensitive task of disarming Hamas, a contentious element of the Trump plan that many Muslim nations view with scepticism.
Moreover, critics argue that the military’s enhanced dominance in Pakistan’s political and judicial spheres, combined with external pressures, could have lasting implications for democratic governance and regional stability.
As diplomatic consultations deepen ahead of the anticipated Washington visit, the world will be watching how Pakistan navigates its alliance with the United States, public sentiment at home, and its longstanding role in South Asian geopolitics all under the leadership of one of the nation’s most powerful military chiefs in decades.