ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has categorically dismissed a Reuters report suggesting that Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is planning to visit the United States to discuss the deployment of Pakistani troops for a Gaza stabilisation force (ISF).
According to the Reuters report, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir was expected to travel to Washington in the coming weeks for his third meeting with US President Donald Trump within six months. Discussions were reportedly aimed at persuading Pakistan to contribute troops to an international force in Gaza.
During a weekly press briefing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tahir Andrabi denied the claims, stating that there was no knowledge of any such visit. He clarified that the ministry had reviewed the media reports but had no confirmation of an upcoming trip.
Security officials also dismissed the Reuters report, labeling it as baseless and speculative. They noted that no high-level meetings or discussions with Washington are currently on the agenda and reaffirmed that Pakistan’s position on Gaza remains unchanged.
Pakistan’s stance on Palestine has already been outlined by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, security sources stated. They reiterated that any decision regarding participation in an international stabilisation force would follow democratic principles, involving consultations with government authorities and relevant stakeholders.
Last month, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed Pakistan’s willingness to contribute forces to a potential Gaza peace or stabilisation mission, under specific conditions. However, he explicitly ruled out any involvement in disarming the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.
Dar highlighted that Pakistan’s participation would hinge on clearly defined terms of reference, the force’s mandate, and its operational scope. He also underscored that disarming Hamas would fall under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, not Pakistan.
He further stressed that any internationally mandated stabilisation effort in Gaza must receive authorisation from the United Nations Security Council. According to Dar, the Prime Minister had preliminarily agreed to send troops for such an initiative following discussions with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
