Asim Munir Faces Major Test as Trump Pushes Pakistan to Send Troops to Gaza

Pakistan’s powerful military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is facing a critical diplomatic and political challenge as the United States pushes Islamabad to contribute troops to a proposed Gaza stabilisation force, a move that could trigger strong domestic backlash.

Munir, who recently became Pakistan’s chief of defence forces with authority over the army, navy and air force, is expected to travel to Washington in the coming weeks to meet US President Donald Trump, according to sources cited by Reuters. The meeting would be the third between the two leaders in six months and is likely to focus on Washington’s Gaza reconstruction and security plan.

Trump’s 20-point Gaza roadmap proposes the deployment of troops from Muslim-majority nations to oversee a transitional stabilisation phase in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. The plan aims to facilitate reconstruction while neutralising Hamas, a task many countries fear could entangle them in a prolonged and politically sensitive conflict.

Growing US-Pakistan Military Engagement

Munir has cultivated unusually close ties with Trump in recent months, marking a shift after years of strained relations between Washington and Islamabad. In June, Trump hosted Munir for a private White House lunch — the first time a US president met Pakistan’s army chief without civilian leadership present.

Analysts say Pakistan’s military capabilities and battlefield experience have made it an attractive partner for Washington. Pakistan remains the world’s only Muslim-majority nuclear power and has a battle-hardened force shaped by wars with India, internal insurgencies and ongoing counter-terror operations.

US engagement, analysts note, is also driven by Pakistan’s interest in reviving American investment and military assistance, much of which has been curtailed in recent years.

Domestic Risks for Islamabad

Despite potential strategic gains, sending Pakistani troops to Gaza carries serious political risks. Islamist groups in Pakistan, which remain fiercely anti-US and anti-Israel, could mobilise mass protests if Islamabad aligns with a US-backed Gaza mission.

Although authorities banned a prominent Islamist organisation in October and arrested over 1,500 supporters, analysts warn that the ideological influence of such groups remains strong. Supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, who retain significant popular backing, are also hostile toward Munir’s expanding authority.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said Islamabad could consider peacekeeping contributions but clarified that disarming Hamas was not Pakistan’s responsibility, indicating internal caution over the proposal.

Unprecedented Power Concentration

Munir’s role has expanded dramatically following recent constitutional amendments that grant him a term extension until 2030, lifetime immunity from prosecution and the permanent rank of field marshal. Analysts describe the changes as an unprecedented consolidation of military authority in Pakistan’s history.

In recent weeks, Munir has held consultations with military and political leaders across the Middle East and Asia, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan and Qatar, meetings analysts believe are linked to discussions around the Gaza force.

Whether Munir can balance US expectations with Pakistan’s volatile domestic landscape may define both his leadership and Islamabad’s future role in the Middle East.