DID Press: Pakistan’s foreign minister has said Islamabad will consider contributing troops to Gaza only if any international deployment were strictly limited to “peacekeeping” duties, stressing that Pakistan would not take part in efforts to disarm Hamas or impose security arrangements by force.
Ishaq Dar made the remarks during his year-end press conference, refraining from denying recent comments by the U.S. secretary of state suggesting Pakistan had offered to participate in a Washington-led multinational force for Gaza. Dar emphasized that Pakistan supports traditional peacekeeping roles but opposes military intervention or coercive solutions.
According to informed sources, any potential Pakistani deployment will come under direct U.S. pressure, with the final decision reportedly shaped during Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir’s recent visit to Washington — a trip described as pivotal to aligning Islamabad with U.S. security planning for Gaza.
Dar also said relations between Pakistan and the United States are currently “ideal,” while noting that Islamabad’s partnership with China remains independent of its ties with Washington and calling the strategic relationship with Beijing a “successful and exemplary model.”
Turning to Afghanistan, the foreign minister acknowledged that recent talks with the Taliban — including discussions hosted in Saudi Arabia, as well as previous rounds in Qatar and Turkey — have yet to produce tangible outcomes. He said Pakistan will continue diplomatic efforts aimed at regional stability, without providing further details.