Pakistan Troops for Gaza Force Decision Awaited Before Washington Summit

Pakistan troops for Gaza force remain under discussion as Islamabad has not yet confirmed whether it will join a proposed international stabilisation mission in Gaza. The uncertainty comes as the United States prepares to host a key summit in Washington on February 19.

US President Donald Trump has announced that several countries have pledged thousands of personnel for the new International Stabilisation Force. The force is part of a broader plan aimed at restoring peace and supporting reconstruction in Gaza after months of conflict.

Pakistan, however, has taken a cautious approach. Officials in Islamabad have neither confirmed nor denied participation. Government and diplomatic sources said discussions are ongoing, and no final decision has been made public so far.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to attend the Washington summit. The meeting will be the first formal session of the Board of Peace, a body formed to support Gaza’s stabilisation and rebuilding process.

Diplomatic sources said the possible deployment was also discussed during recent talks between Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The discussions reportedly focused on the role and mandate of the proposed force, but no details were officially released.

Pakistan has already supported a broader peace initiative for Gaza and joined the Board of Peace after it was backed by the United Nations Security Council. However, Islamabad has made it clear that any involvement would depend on a well-defined and limited mission.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has previously stated that Pakistan would only consider participation if the role was strictly for peacekeeping and humanitarian purposes. He emphasised that Pakistan would not be part of any operation targeting Palestinian groups or carrying out combat missions.

According to US officials, more than 20 countries are expected to attend the summit. These include regional and Muslim countries such as Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Indonesia. The United States says the mission will help maintain order, assist civilians, and support reconstruction efforts.

President Trump has also announced a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza. He said member countries would contribute over $5 billion for humanitarian aid and rebuilding damaged infrastructure.

Despite these announcements, Pakistan continues to wait for clearer details before making any commitment. Officials say the government wants to ensure that any role aligns with Pakistan’s peacekeeping principles and national interests.

For now, the decision on Pakistan troops for Gaza force remains open, with Islamabad expected to clarify its position after further diplomatic consultations and the upcoming Washington summit.