Pakistan’s Proposed Troop Deployment to Gaza Sparks Domestic Backlash
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri, Chairman of Pakistan‘s Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen and Senator, has strongly criticized the Pakistani government’s consideration of deploying troops to Gaza. Speaking to Mehr News Agency, Jafri stated that such a move would amount to ‘striking at one’s own roots,’ following reports that Pakistan’s rulers had proposed military involvement in Gaza at the suggestion of the U.S. Secretary of State.
Jafri emphasized that while Pakistani hearts beat for oppressed Palestinians, the nuclear-armed nation has failed to provide meaningful support – neither halting the conflict nor supplying weapons. He described Gaza where genocide has occurred, innocent civilians have been killed, and destruction has spread through the use of all types of weapons.
The senator accused the U.S. of seeking to disarm not just Hamas but all resistance groups including Islamic Jihad. He warned that the Pakistani people would resist any leaders pursuing such policies.
The comments come as Reuters reports Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir faces his greatest career challenge, with Washington pressuring Islamabad to contribute troops to Gaza under President Trump’s 20-point peace plan. The proposed mission, involving Muslim nations overseeing Gaza’s transition and reconstruction while disarming resistance groups, has made many countries cautious due to potential domestic backlash.
Reuters notes that Pakistan’s refusal could anger Trump, while deployment might inflame protests by Islamist parties. The news agency suggests General Munir’s potential Washington visit – his third in six months – would likely focus on Gaza troop deployment, a move that could lead the Pakistani public to view him as ‘serving Israel’s interests.’
