Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s clarification at a news conference on Saturdayregarding Pakistan’s potential participation in the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza has arrived at an important moment.
With speculation intensifying over whether Pakistan would join the force and what role it would play, this clear articulation of position will help settle anxieties at home and has sent a firm message abroad. His unequivocal statement that Pakistan is willing to contribute troops for peacekeeping, but not for disarming Hamas aligns seamlessly with the country’s historic and principled stance on the Palestinian cause.
Pakistan has consistently championed the rights of Palestinians on every international platform. From the United Nations to the OIC, Pakistan has spoken forcefully against Israeli aggression and in support of Palestinian self-determination. This long-standing policy is not merely diplomatic tradition, it is a matter of national consensus rooted in morality and international law. Any role that undermines Palestinian resistance or dilutes their right to freedom would be incompatible with Pakistan’s foundational position. The international force envisioned in the US-brokered Gaza Peace Agreement must not become a tool for coercing one side of the conflict. Its focus must remain on maintaining peace on the ground, monitoring the ceasefire, facilitating humanitarian aid and ensuring that both sides adhere to their obligations. We believe there is virtually no precedent for a multinational force tasked with disarming one party in a still-active conflict without a mutually agreed political settlement. It is therefore unsurprising that most Muslim-majority countries would hesitate to join the force if its mandate includes disarming Hamas. Their reluctance stems not from political convenience but from genuine concern over longstanding brutality inflicted by Israel, whose actions have resulted in the deaths of thousands, including women and children.If the world truly seeks peace in Gaza, it is Israel that must be restrained. Its continued occupation, settlement expansion,bombardment of civilian areas and repeated violations of ceasefires are clear obstacles to regional stability. A peacekeeping force cannot succeed if it turns a blind eye to these realities while focusing on weakening Palestinians. Ultimately, peace in the Middle East will be possible only through the creation of an independent Palestinian state that reflects aspirations, rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.
