WASHINGTON / ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is scheduled for a high-stakes visit to Washington in the coming weeks. This third meeting with President Donald Trump in just six months marks a pivotal moment in U.S.-Pakistan relations, as the White House intensifies pressure on Islamabad to lead a multinational stabilization force in the Gaza Strip.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Gaza Mandate: Trump’s “Muslim Force”
At the heart of the discussions is President Trump’s 20-point Gaza Plan. The proposal seeks to deploy a coalition of militaries from Muslim-majority nations to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and security transition following years of conflict.
While the U.S. views Pakistan’s “battle-hardened” military as the ideal candidate for this role, the mission remains fraught with risk. The primary objectives—stabilizing the territory and demilitarizing Hamas—are viewed by many in the region as a “political minefield” that could drag foreign troops into a prolonged insurgency.
Munir’s Consolidated Power
General Munir arrives in Washington holding unprecedented authority. Recent constitutional amendments have fundamentally reshaped the Pakistani power structure:
- Unified Command: As the first Chief of Defence Forces, Munir now commands the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- Extended Tenure: His term has been extended to 2030.
- Legal Immunity: He has been granted lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution.
- Field Marshal Status: He is Pakistan’s most decorated and powerful military chief to date.
The Diplomatic Trade-off
Analysts suggest that Munir’s close rapport with Trump is driven by a desperate need for economic stabilization. Pakistan is seeking:
- Direct Investment: A revival of U.S. financial interest in Pakistani infrastructure.
- Security Assistance: The restoration of military aid that has been suspended for years.
- Strategic Support: US backing in Pakistan’s ongoing internal conflict with militants on the Afghan border.
“If Pakistan declines this mission, it risks disappointing Trump and losing the security assistance they are so keen to restore,” says Michael Kugelman of the Atlantic Council.
Domestic Volatility
Despite Munir’s absolute control over the state apparatus, the “Gaza Force” proposal faces fierce opposition at home.
- Religious Backlash: Islamist parties, though currently under a state crackdown, maintain significant “street power” and view any collaboration with U.S.-Israeli plans as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.
- Political Opposition: Supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan remain highly critical of Munir’s expanded powers and are likely to use any Gaza deployment as a rallying cry against the military establishment.
Conclusion
As Field Marshal Munir conducts a “consultation tour” with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, the upcoming Washington summit will be the ultimate test of his leadership. He must balance the survival of Pakistan’s economy against the very real threat of a domestic uprising.
