A high-stakes diplomatic and security engagement is unfolding on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Pakistan’s political and military leadership is expected to hold a crucial meeting
with United States President Donald Trump to discuss the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza. According to top security sources, Pakistan has partially agreed in principle to join the US-backed framework, marking a potentially significant shift in its regional posture.
Security sources tell CNN-News18 that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, are scheduled to meet Trump to discuss the roadmap for the ISF as well as the Gaza “Board of Peace” initiative being spearheaded by the Trump administration. Munir has already reached Davos.
The discussions are expected to go beyond Gaza alone. Top security sources say the agenda includes broader economic cooperation, security assistance and long-term strategic partnerships between Pakistan and the United States. In return for participation in the ISF, Pakistan is likely to seek firm economic assistance guarantees and enhanced strategic cooperation from Washington.
While Pakistan has agreed to be part of the proposed Gaza peace framework, the more contentious question of how and when to contribute troops remains unresolved. Security sources indicate that Pakistan’s leadership will brief President Trump on domestic political, legal and ideological constraints that complicate any troop deployment. Pakistan does not recognise Israel, and Pakistani passports explicitly bar travel to Israel, making coordination with Israeli Defence Forces a sensitive issue Islamabad wants clarity on.
Pakistan is also expected to raise questions about the ISF’s command structure, operational mechanism and coordination protocols. According to sources, Islamabad may seek a leadership role within the ISF on behalf of eight major Muslim countries expected to participate in the Board of Peace and stabilisation mission.
Internally, the decision is fraught with challenges. Security sources acknowledge it will be difficult for the Pakistani government to sell the idea of sending troops to Gaza to Parliament, religious groups and the wider public, particularly given strong opposition from radical clerics. Any final decision would require parliamentary approval, making political consensus critical.
Despite these hurdles, sources say Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership has begun building a domestic narrative to justify participation, framing it as a peacekeeping and stabilisation role rather than alignment with Israel.
