ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has intensified diplomatic consultations with key regional partners on President Trump’s Gaza peace plan and its next phase that envisages among other things the deployment of multinational force in one of the world’s most protracted hotspots.
On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foriegn Minister spoke to his Turkish and Iranian counterparts with focus on the Gaza peace plan.
Diplomatic sources told The Express Tribune that Islamabad is actively engaging friendly countries, particularly Türkiye and Iran, to exchange views on evolving ground realities in Gaza and explore avenues for humanitarian relief, ceasefire sustainability and longer-term stabilisation arrangements under an international framework.
The consultations come against the backdrop of recent remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who revealed that Pakistan was among a handful of countries being approached for potential troop contributions to a future international stabilisation force for Gaza.
Rubio’s statement, made during a media interaction, underscored Washington’s assessment that Muslim-majority countries with professional armed forces and credibility in peacekeeping could play a constructive role in any post-war security mechanism.
However, Pakistani officials stress that while Islamabad remains open to discussions, it has drawn clear red lines.
“Pakistan will not be part of any force mandated to disarm Hamas or engage in combat operations against Palestinian resistance groups,” a senior official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Any contribution, if at all, would be strictly within a UN-mandated framework, focused on stabilisation, protection of civilians and facilitation of humanitarian assistance.”
The official added that Pakistan’s long-standing position on Palestine, rooted in support for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of an independent Palestinian state, remains unchanged. “Our approach is principled, not transactional,” the official said.
These diplomatic signals were reflected in a series of high-level contacts over the weekend.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during which the two leaders discussed the latest developments relating to Palestine and Gaza, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
The statement said both sides shared perspectives on evolving regional and international issues and underscored the importance of enhancing collaboration in trade, investment, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.
They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting regional peace, stability and development – language diplomats say carries particular weight in the context of Gaza.
Türkiye has been among the most vocal regional actors calling for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access and an international protection mechanism for Palestinians.
Pakistani officials say Ankara’s views carry significance as discussions move toward possible post-conflict arrangements.
On the same day, Dar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation across various sectors and exchanged views on regional developments, the Foreign Office said. Both reaffirmed their resolve to work closely together for regional peace and development, while strengthening cooperation in trade, connectivity and people-to-people ties.
Diplomatic observers believe Islamabad’s parallel outreach to both Ankara and Tehran highlights Pakistan’s intent to remain aligned with key regional stakeholders while carefully navigating the sensitivities surrounding Gaza.
Iran-backed groups, including Hamas, remain a central factor in the conflict’s dynamics, making Pakistan’s red lines particularly significant.
“Pakistan has a strong peacekeeping track record, but Gaza is politically and militarily far more complex than traditional UN missions,” said another official.
“Islamabad is signalling willingness to contribute to stability, but not at the cost of being seen as enforcing an agenda against Palestinians.”
Pakistan is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations globally, with tens of thousands of troops having served in conflict zones across Africa and elsewhere.
This experience has made Islamabad a frequent candidate in discussions on international stabilisation forces. Yet officials insist that Gaza presents unique challenges, including the absence of a comprehensive political settlement and the risk of mission creep.
Sources say Pakistan’s consultations are also focused on ensuring that any future international force is genuinely neutral, operates with the consent of Palestinians, and is part of a broader political process leading to a viable Palestinian state, not a substitute for it.
For now, Islamabad appears to be keeping its options open, balancing international expectations with domestic sentiment and its historical stance on Palestine. As one official put it: “Pakistan will support peace in Gaza, but peace cannot be built by sidelining Palestinian aspirations or by imposing solutions at gunpoint.”
The coming weeks are expected to see further diplomatic engagement as regional and global players debate the contours of a post-war Gaza and whether an international stabilisation force can realistically deliver security without deepening existing fault lines.
