Pakistan will seek clear assurances from the United States before committing troops to a proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, according to sources cited by Geo News.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to attend the inaugural formal meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington on Thursday, alongside representatives from at least 20 countries. The meeting is expected to focus on a multi-billion dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza and the formation of a United Nations-authorised stabilisation force for the Palestinian territory.
According to three government sources quoted by Geo News, Islamabad wants clarity on the mission’s mandate, legal authority, and chain of command before deciding on troop deployment.
“We are ready to send troops. Let me make it clear that our troops could only be part of a peace mission in Gaza,” one source, described as a close aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz, said. “We will not be part of any other role, such as disarming Hamas. It is out of the question.”
Officials indicated that Pakistan’s participation would strictly be limited to peacekeeping responsibilities and not involve demilitarisation operations against Hamas.
Last month, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated that Pakistan would remain engaged with international efforts aimed at ensuring peace and security in Gaza, consistent with United Nations resolutions.
“Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions,” Andrabi had said.
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed its readiness at international forums to play what it calls a “constructive role” in US-led peace initiatives concerning Palestine.
President Trump first unveiled the Board of Peace initiative during the World Economic Forum in Davos in late January, where several world leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz, endorsed efforts toward a long-term settlement in Gaza.
Trump’s reported 20-point Gaza plan envisions a force drawn primarily from Muslim-majority countries to oversee a transitional reconstruction and economic recovery phase in the war-affected enclave. Washington has reportedly encouraged Islamabad to join the effort.
Analysts suggest Pakistan’s experienced military, with a history of conventional warfare and counterinsurgency operations, could make it a valuable contributor to a multinational force.
“We can send initially a couple of thousand troops anytime, but we need to know what role they are going to play,” another source told Geo News.
Two sources indicated that Prime Minister Shehbaz may hold bilateral discussions with President Trump either on the sidelines of the meeting or during a possible visit to the White House.
While Pakistan has supported the establishment of the Board of Peace, officials have expressed reservations regarding any component of the mission aimed at disarming Hamas, maintaining that Islamabad’s involvement would remain confined to peacekeeping under an internationally recognised framework.