Pakistan's Participation in Gaza Stabilization Force Raises Questions About Backlash
In the wake of the United Nations Security Council adopting a resolution paving the way for a transitional administration and an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, Pakistan is faced with a delicate decision about whether to join the force. The country's permanent representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, expressed gratitude towards the US for tabling the resolution but also noted that some critical suggestions made by Pakistan were not included in the final text.
The resolution promises a "credible pathway" to Palestinian statehood, yet it fails to spell out this path or clarify the role of the UN, the proposed Board of Peace (BoP) to oversee Gaza's governance, or the mandate of the ISF. These ambiguities have raised concerns among experts, who argue that Pakistan needs more clarity on these issues before making a decision.
Pakistan has already endorsed US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan in September, which is the basis for the UN resolution. However, despite being one of the largest armies among Muslim-majority countries, Pakistan is expected to play a key role in the ISF, raising questions about how it will navigate domestic politics and public opinion.
Analysts point out that participation in the ISF would be a matter of pride for Pakistan, but they also caution that the country's military deployment in Gaza could be highly sensitive, especially given its position on Palestine. Pakistan does not recognize Israel, and any suggestion of military cooperation with Israeli forces or de facto recognition is considered politically fraught.
The lack of details about the ISF and Gaza's governance in the UN resolution has been a stumbling block for many countries. China described the text as "vague and unclear" on critical elements, while Hamas rejected the resolution due to its failure to meet Palestinian rights.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan may still join the ISF due to limited options and economic pressures. Many close allies are deeply committed to the initiative and have sought Islamabad's participation. Additionally, Pakistan has extensive experience with UN peacekeeping, having contributed over 2,600 personnel to various missions.
However, domestic political risks remain a significant concern. Analysts warn that any operational tie to Israel would ignite domestic backlash and erode public trust. The country's historic position on Palestine remains intact, and its prior peacekeeping experience means that its troops are well-equipped to help the ISF. Nonetheless, the risk of domestic controversy remains a key factor in Pakistan's decision-making process.
Ultimately, Pakistan's participation in the Gaza stabilization force will depend on careful navigation of domestic politics and public opinion. While some analysts argue that realism demands cooperation with a less-than-perfect solution, others caution against compromising on principles, including those related to Palestine. The outcome is far from certain, and it remains to be seen how Islamabad will weigh its options in the face of these competing considerations.
In the wake of the United Nations Security Council adopting a resolution paving the way for a transitional administration and an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, Pakistan is faced with a delicate decision about whether to join the force. The country's permanent representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, expressed gratitude towards the US for tabling the resolution but also noted that some critical suggestions made by Pakistan were not included in the final text.
The resolution promises a "credible pathway" to Palestinian statehood, yet it fails to spell out this path or clarify the role of the UN, the proposed Board of Peace (BoP) to oversee Gaza's governance, or the mandate of the ISF. These ambiguities have raised concerns among experts, who argue that Pakistan needs more clarity on these issues before making a decision.
Pakistan has already endorsed US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan in September, which is the basis for the UN resolution. However, despite being one of the largest armies among Muslim-majority countries, Pakistan is expected to play a key role in the ISF, raising questions about how it will navigate domestic politics and public opinion.
Analysts point out that participation in the ISF would be a matter of pride for Pakistan, but they also caution that the country's military deployment in Gaza could be highly sensitive, especially given its position on Palestine. Pakistan does not recognize Israel, and any suggestion of military cooperation with Israeli forces or de facto recognition is considered politically fraught.
The lack of details about the ISF and Gaza's governance in the UN resolution has been a stumbling block for many countries. China described the text as "vague and unclear" on critical elements, while Hamas rejected the resolution due to its failure to meet Palestinian rights.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan may still join the ISF due to limited options and economic pressures. Many close allies are deeply committed to the initiative and have sought Islamabad's participation. Additionally, Pakistan has extensive experience with UN peacekeeping, having contributed over 2,600 personnel to various missions.
However, domestic political risks remain a significant concern. Analysts warn that any operational tie to Israel would ignite domestic backlash and erode public trust. The country's historic position on Palestine remains intact, and its prior peacekeeping experience means that its troops are well-equipped to help the ISF. Nonetheless, the risk of domestic controversy remains a key factor in Pakistan's decision-making process.
Ultimately, Pakistan's participation in the Gaza stabilization force will depend on careful navigation of domestic politics and public opinion. While some analysts argue that realism demands cooperation with a less-than-perfect solution, others caution against compromising on principles, including those related to Palestine. The outcome is far from certain, and it remains to be seen how Islamabad will weigh its options in the face of these competing considerations.
first off theres that pesky israel thingy and pakistans stance on palestine which is pretty clear cut. then theres the domestic politics aspect which is a major concern - u cant just ignore the street vibes in pakistan, especially when it comes to israel. 
its not just about israel tho, its also about the fact that pakistan has to navigate its own internal politics without getting too caught up in the international drama. i mean, china's already giving pak a hard time with their "vague and unclear" comments 
. Joining the ISF would be a huge weight on their shoulders, not just for their military but also for their people who are already dealing with so much stress and anxiety over the Gaza situation 
. It's understandable that they're worried about domestic backlash and eroding public trust - it's a tough spot to be in 
. Maybe it's time for them to think outside the box and find creative solutions that work for everyone involved? 
... plus, they gotta consider what their own people will think about it, because i know pakistan doesn't recognize israel and all 
... so yeah, pakistan needs to weigh its options carefully before making a decision 
they're already dealing with so much internal pressure on their stance on Palestine... it's like, can't they just take a step back and assess the situation without putting their troops at risk? 
I mean, I get why Pakistan wants to participate in a global effort, but don't they want to protect their national interests too? 
. i'm not sure what pakistan will do, but i think they might join anyway due to economic pressures 
. but domestic backlash could be a major issue for them 
. can't have the troops being all like "hey, we're helping gaza" only for it to be met with "no way, you traitors" 
. gotta see how pakistan navigates this one 
meanwhile, china is saying the un resolution is vague and unclear - maybe china should get involved instead of criticizing pakistan? 
. On one hand, participating in the force could bring a sense of pride and prestige for the country, but on the other hand, it could also lead to domestic backlash and erode public trust 
. The lack of clarity on the role of the UN, the BoP, and the mandate of the ISF is like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces 
. The country's stance on the issue has always been rooted in its identity as a Muslim-majority nation 
, and any suggestion of military cooperation or recognition of Israel would be seen as a betrayal 
.
. Is it more important for the country to prioritize its interests and economic stability, or to hold firm on its values and principles? The answer lies in finding a middle ground that balances realism with a commitment to its core beliefs 
.
meanwhile china's all like "what even is this plan, it sounds super vague to me 
but they also gotta consider how it'll affect public opinion at home. like, can you imagine the backlash if there were any ops with israel? 
. They already endorsed Trump's 20-point plan last year 
, but now they're faced with more questions than answers about how they'll fit into this new framework 
. China's calling out the UN resolution for being vague and unclear 
[link](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/02/pakistan-joins-gaza-stabilization-force-or-not.html)
. like 5 bucks for a drink that's literally half my size, lol what's up with prices in the city anyway? they should just charge by the square inch