Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir addressing military officials at a ceremony to mark his elevation. Image Courtesy: @defensetalks/X
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Firstpost17-12-2025, 14:28

Pakistan's Munir Faces Gaza Dilemma: US Pressure vs. Domestic Fury

  • US President Donald Trump seeks Pakistani troops for a Gaza stabilization force, part of his 20-point peace plan approved by the UN.
  • Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir faces a "Catch-22" dilemma, balancing US demands for troops with strong domestic anti-Israel sentiment and potential backlash from Islamist parties.
  • Pakistan has historically opposed Israel, does not recognize it, and supports a separate Palestinian state, making troop deployment politically fraught.
  • Munir's close ties with Trump and his recently consolidated power (job extension, immunity) give him leverage, but sending troops could be seen as a betrayal domestically.
  • Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated Pakistan might consider peacekeeping but disarming Hamas "is not our job," highlighting the complexity of the situation.

Why It Matters: Munir navigates immense pressure to send troops to Gaza, risking domestic and regional fallout.

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