ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has not yet decided whether it will contribute troops to the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza, the Foreign Office said on Thursday, amid speculation that the United States is pressing Islamabad to join the mission.
Addressing the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said no formal decision had been taken regarding Pakistan’s participation. “About Pakistan’s participation in the ISF, we have not taken a decision to participate in ISF as yet,” he said, adding that Pakistan had not received any official request to deploy troops.
The ISF is a central element of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point framework aimed at ending the Gaza conflict. The plan, announced in September, paved the way for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October. On November 17, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution endorsing the framework and authorising the establishment of the ISF as a temporary multinational force to support security, demilitarisation and reconstruction in Gaza. Pakistan voted in favour of the resolution.
Mr Andrabi’s remarks came amid reports suggesting increased US engagement with Pakistan on the issue. A recent Reuters report claimed that Field Marshal Asim Munir, in his capacity as chief of army staff and chief of defence forces, was expected to visit Washington for talks with President Trump, with the Gaza force likely to feature on the agenda.
Responding to these reports, the Foreign Office spokesperson rejected suggestions that such a visit had been finalised. He said the report implied a level of certainty that did not exist. “We would wait for an official announcement from the government of Pakistan in the event of such a visit,” he said, noting that no announcement had been made so far.
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The White House also played down the speculation. A US official, speaking on background, said that a meeting between President Trump and Field Marshal Munir was not scheduled “at this time”.
On the ISF, Mr Andrabi said discussions were continuing in various capitals but reiterated that Islamabad had not been formally approached. “The discussion on ISF is ongoing… I am not aware of any specific requests made to Pakistan to send troops,” he said.
The FO spokesperson’s clarification came amid growing conjecture that the Trump administration is stepping up pressure on Pakistan to commit troops to the force.https://t.co/16QW40Ahx9
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 19, 2025
The statement appeared to contrast with earlier remarks by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who had said Pakistan was ready “in principle” to contribute, subject to clarity on the force’s mandate and terms of reference. Mr Dar had also said Pakistan would not take part in any operation involving the disarmament of Hamas, stressing that Islamabad’s role would be limited to peacekeeping.
Earlier this week, the US Central Command hosted a conference in Qatar attended by around 45 countries, including Pakistan, to discuss the ISF’s command structure and operational details. The United States has reportedly reached out to more than 70 countries for troop or financial contributions, with deployment potentially beginning next month.
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