Trump is set to chair a pivotal meeting unveiling a multi-billion-dollar Gaza reconstruction plan and a UN-backed force to stabilize the fragile Palestinian territory
By Amjad Qaimkhani
WASHINGTON: Before committing to sending troops to Gaza as part of the International Stabilisation Force, Pakistan is seeking assurances from the United States that the mission will be strictly peacekeeping and not involve disarming Hamas, three government sources told Reuters.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to attend the first formal meeting of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington on Thursday. Delegations from at least 20 countries will also take part. Trump, who will chair the meeting, is expected to unveil a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza and outline the proposed UN-authorized stabilization force for the Palestinian territory.
During the visit, Pakistani officials said, the prime minister wants clarity on the goals of the ISF, its authority, and the chain of command before deciding whether to deploy troops. “We are ready to send troops. Let me make it clear that our troops could only be part of a peace mission in Gaza,” said one of the sources, a close aide to PM Shehbaz. “We will not be part of any other role, such as disarming Hamas. It is out of the question,” he added.
Last month, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi reiterated that Pakistan would continue to engage with international efforts aimed at peace and security in Gaza. “Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions,” he said. At international forums, Pakistan has repeatedly expressed its readiness to play a constructive role in the US peace plan for Palestine.
Trump launched his Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos in late January. World leaders, including PM Shehbaz, signed on to pursue a lasting agreement for Gaza. The president’s 20-point plan calls for a force drawn from Muslim nations to oversee a transition period of reconstruction and economic recovery in Gaza. Washington has been pressing Islamabad to join the effort.
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