Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has come under intense scrutiny as the United States presses Islamabad to contribute troops to a proposed “temporary security force” in Gaza, a move analysts warn could trigger serious political backlash at home.
According to two sources cited by Reuters, Munir is expected to visit the United States in the coming weeks and may meet President Donald Trump. If confirmed, it would be their third meeting in six months, with Gaza expected to dominate the agenda.
Trump’s reported 20-point Gaza plan envisions a force drawn from Muslim-majority countries to oversee reconstruction and economic recovery in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory during an interim period. Gaza has suffered devastation after more than two years of Israeli military operations.
Many countries are wary of joining such a mission, as it could involve efforts to disarm Hamas—raising the risk of direct confrontation and fuelling pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel sentiment at home.
Munir, however, has sought to rebuild trust with Washington after years of strained relations. In June, he was invited to a private White House lunch with Trump—an unprecedented meeting for a Pakistani army chief without civilian leaders present.
Michael Kugelman, senior fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council, said refusal to contribute troops could anger Trump, something Pakistan would want to avoid as it seeks US investment and security assistance. “Pakistan is clearly keen to stay in Trump’s good books,” he noted.
Pakistan is the only Muslim-majority country with nuclear weapons, and its military is considered battle-hardened, having fought three wars with India and engaged in counterinsurgency operations at home and along its borders. Yet analysts say this very strength increases pressure on Munir to prove his strategic capability.
Defence analyst Ayesha Siddiqa said Munir faces heightened expectations because of Pakistan’s military stature. However, Islamabad has publicly signalled caution. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said last month Pakistan could consider peacekeeping, but disarming Hamas was “not our responsibility.”
Earlier this month, Munir was appointed chief of defence staff, extending his authority over the army, navy and air force, and his tenure has been extended until 2030. Constitutional changes passed by parliament also grant him lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution.
Analysts say such powers leave Munir with wide latitude. “Few people in Pakistan enjoy the luxury of risk-taking like Munir,” Kugelman said. “Ultimately, the rules will be his—and his alone.”
In recent weeks, Munir has held talks with leaders in Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and Qatar, moves widely seen as consultations on the Gaza proposal.
Domestically, however, concerns are mounting. A US-backed deployment in Gaza could reignite protests by Islamist groups fiercely opposed to the US and Israel, many of which have a history of mobilising large street demonstrations. Political tensions are also high, with supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan remaining deeply hostile to Munir.
Abdul Basit, senior associate fellow at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, warned that if conditions in Gaza deteriorate after any deployment, Pakistan could quickly face serious trouble—both abroad and at home.
