Islamabad, February 18, 2026: Pakistan has sought clear assurances from the United States that any deployment of its troops to Gaza as part of a proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) would strictly be a peacekeeping mission and not involve disarming Hamas, three government sources told Reuters.
According to the sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to attend the first formal meeting of US President Donald Trump’s newly established Board of Peace in Washington on Thursday, alongside delegations from at least 20 countries.
President Trump, who will chair the meeting, is expected to unveil a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza and outline proposals for a United Nations-authorised stabilisation force for the Palestinian territory.
Three government sources said Prime Minister Shehbaz wants clarity on the objectives of the ISF, the legal authority under which it would operate, and its chain of command before Islamabad makes any decision on troop deployment.
“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 source, described as a close aide to the prime minister.
“We will not be part of any other role, such as disarming Hamas. It is out of the question,” the source added.
Last month, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan would remain engaged with international efforts aimed at restoring 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.
Pakistan has repeatedly stated at international forums that it is prepared to play a “constructive role” in US-led peace efforts for Palestine.
President Trump formally launched the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos in late January, where several world leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz, endorsed efforts to pursue a lasting agreement for Gaza.
Under Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan, a stabilisation force drawn largely from Muslim-majority countries would oversee a transitional period focused on reconstruction and economic recovery in the war-ravaged enclave. Washington has reportedly been urging Islamabad to join the force.
Analysts say Pakistan’s military experience — including UN peacekeeping operations, conventional warfare, and counterinsurgency campaigns — could make it a valuable contributor to a multinational force.
“We can send initially a couple of thousand troops anytime, but we need to know what role they are going to play,” one of the sources said.
Two sources said it was likely that Prime Minister Shehbaz, who has met President Trump earlier this year in Davos and late last year at the White House, may either meet him on the sidelines of the Board of Peace meeting or hold a separate engagement at the White House the following day.
While Pakistan has supported the establishment of the Board of Peace, officials have also conveyed concerns that it should not evolve into a parallel mechanism competing with the United Nations, and have reiterated Islamabad’s opposition to any mission aimed at the demilitarisation of Hamas.
The discussions in Washington are expected to play a decisive role in shaping Pakistan’s position on participating in the proposed Gaza stabilisation force.
