Tensions are mounting within Pakistan over the prospect of deploying troops to Gaza, exposing the country’s growing strategic vulnerability amid intense external pressure and internal opposition. While US President Donald Trump is urging Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir to contribute troops for a proposed Gaza mission, influential religious leaders across Pakistan have come out strongly against any such move. Munir is expected to travel to the United States next week to meet Trump, marking their third meeting in the past six months, an unusually frequent engagement that has fuelled speculation about Washington’s expectations from Islamabad.
At the centre of the controversy is Trump’s reported 20-point Gaza plan, which envisions the deployment of troops from Muslim-majority countries to oversee reconstruction, maintain economic security, and stabilise Gaza after more than two years of Israel’s anti-terror operations. However, many countries remain wary of participating in what is widely seen as a mission ultimately aimed at weakening or disarming Hamas. Such involvement carries the risk of provoking domestic unrest, intensifying anti-Israel sentiment, and drawing participating armies into a prolonged and politically explosive conflict. Despite these risks, Pakistan’s deepening engagement with Washington has raised the possibility of a phased deployment of Pakistani troops to Gaza. Analysts note that Munir’s close rapport with Trump could push Islamabad towards participation, even as public resistance grows. Yet refusal to take part could disappoint the US president at a time when Pakistan is seeking financial relief and diplomatic backing. Reports suggest that Washington has hinted at substantial financial assistance if Pakistan cooperate with the proposed plan.
At the same time, Pakistan’s security forces are already overstretched. The country has been battling a long-running insurgency in Balochistan, while its relations with the Afghan Taliban have deteriorated sharply. Last month, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar acknowledged that Islamabad might consider sending troops to Gaza for peacekeeping purposes, while firmly stating that disarming Hamas was “not our job”, a remark that underscored Pakistan’s support for the terror groups. In recent weeks, Asim Munir has held a series of meetings with military and political leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Azerbaijan, and Qatar. These engagements are widely viewed as consultations on the feasibility and structure of a potential Gaza force. However, domestic opposition remains strong. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has openly rejected the idea of sending Pakistani troops to Gaza, warning that it could further destabilise the country and inflame internal divisions.
Twin water shocks from India and Afghanistan push Pakistan into a deepening strategic and economic crisis
Pakistan’s vulnerability has been compounded by severe regional setbacks. After India, the Afghan Taliban has delivered another strategic shock. Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India halted the flow of water from the Indus River to Pakistan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi declaring that “water and blood cannot flow together.” New Delhi has also made it clear at the United Nations that water supplies will not be restored unless Pakistan ends its support for cross-border terrorism. This decision has dealt a heavy blow to Pakistan’s agriculture sector, the backbone of its already fragile economy. Now Afghanistan has taken a similar step. The Kunar River, which originates in Pakistan’s Chitral region, flows through Afghanistan’s Kunar and Nangarhar provinces before re-entering Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban is planning to construct a dam on the river, a move that could have devastating consequences for Pakistan. The Kunar is a vital source of irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Any diversion or restriction of its flow would trigger a serious water and energy crisis.
According to reports, the Taliban plans to channel water from the Kunar into reservoirs in Nangarhar through the Gambiri desert. This decision is also seen as a potential flashpoint for renewed tensions between Kabul and Islamabad. Pakistan’s earlier closure of border check posts after clashes had already damaged Afghanistan’s trade sector. The Taliban has since stated that it no longer relies on Pakistan for trade, instead turning to India, Iran, and Central Asian states for exports and imports. Taken together, these developments highlight Pakistan’s increasingly precarious position, caught between US pressure abroad, rising domestic dissent, hostile neighbours, and deepening economic and resource insecurity.
