Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s most powerful military chief in decades, stands at a crossroads as he prepares for a pivotal visit to Washington in the coming weeks. The stakes are high: the United States, under President Donald Trump, is urging Islamabad to contribute troops to a proposed Gaza stabilisation force, a move that could have sweeping consequences both abroad and at home.
According to Reuters and other reports, Munir’s upcoming trip will mark his third meeting with President Trump in just six months—a remarkable frequency that underscores the urgency and sensitivity of the mission. At the heart of their discussions will be Trump’s ambitious 20-point Gaza plan, which calls for a multinational force, drawn from Muslim countries, to oversee a transition period in Gaza. The goals are daunting: to guide reconstruction and economic recovery in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory, and to demilitarise the Islamist group Hamas after more than two years of relentless Israeli military bombardment.
Many Muslim nations have balked at the prospect. The mission carries the risk of entanglement in a volatile conflict and the threat of domestic backlash from pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli populations. As one analyst put it, “Many countries are wary of the mission to demilitarise Gaza’s Islamist militant group Hamas, which could drag them into the conflict and enrage their pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli populations,” Reuters reported.
Munir, however, has cultivated a notably close relationship with Trump. In June 2025, the general was honored with a White House lunch—the first time a U.S. president hosted Pakistan’s army chief alone, without civilian officials present. The symbolism was not lost on observers, signaling a new phase in the often-fraught relationship between Washington and Islamabad. Michael Kugelman, Senior Fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council, captured the stakes succinctly: “Not contributing (to the Gaza stabilisation force) could annoy Trump, which is no small matter for a Pakistani state that appears quite keen to remain in his good graces—in great part to secure U.S. investment and security aid.”
Pakistan’s military is battle-hardened, having fought three wars with rival India and engaged in a brief conflict as recently as the summer of 2025. The country’s forces have also grappled with insurgencies in remote regions and continue to battle Islamist militants, many of whom operate from neighboring Afghanistan. As the world’s only Muslim-majority nation with nuclear weapons, Pakistan’s military capabilities are formidable—and that, analysts say, increases the pressure on Munir to deliver on the international stage. “There is a greater pressure on Munir to deliver his capacity,” noted author and defense analyst Ayesha Siddiqa.
Munir’s power at home has reached unprecedented heights. Earlier this month, he was appointed chief of the defence forces, granting him command over the army, air force, and navy. His term has been extended until 2030, and constitutional amendments passed by Pakistan’s civilian government have bestowed upon him lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution. “Few people in Pakistan enjoy the luxury of being able to take risks more than Munir. He has unbridled power, now constitutionally protected,” Kugelman observed. “Ultimately, it will be Munir’s rules, and his rules only.”
In recent weeks, Munir has held consultations with leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, and Qatar—countries that could be potential partners in the Gaza force. These meetings, according to military statements cited by Reuters, appear to be part of a broader effort to build consensus among Muslim nations about the sensitive mission ahead.
Yet, the greatest risk for Munir may lie not in foreign capitals, but on the streets of Pakistan. The idea of deploying Pakistani troops to Gaza under a U.S.-backed plan is deeply unpopular among segments of the population, particularly Islamist parties that are fiercely opposed to the United States and Israel. These groups, despite recent crackdowns—including the banning of a violent anti-Israel party, the arrest of its leaders and over 1,500 supporters, and the seizure of assets and bank accounts—retain significant capacity to mobilize protests.
“People will say ‘Asim Munir is doing Israel’s bidding’—it will be foolhardy of anyone not to see it coming,” warned Abdul Basit, Senior Associate Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, in comments to Reuters. The ideology of banned groups remains potent, and their ability to spark unrest is undiminished by official prohibitions.
The political landscape is further complicated by the ongoing rivalry between Munir and supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan. Khan’s party, despite his imprisonment and a recent public fallout with the military, won the most seats in the 2024 national elections and continues to enjoy widespread support. Their opposition to Munir’s policies, particularly any move seen as aligning Pakistan too closely with U.S. or Israeli interests, could amplify the risk of domestic instability.
Pakistan’s official stance on the Gaza mission remains cautious. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated in November 2025 that Islamabad could consider contributing troops for peacekeeping purposes, but drew a clear line: “Disarming Hamas is not our job.” This position reflects the delicate balance the government must strike—demonstrating willingness to cooperate with international partners while avoiding actions that could provoke unrest at home.
As Munir prepares for his critical Washington visit, he does so with the weight of history and expectation on his shoulders. Pakistan’s military has long played a central role in the country’s foreign and domestic affairs, but rarely has so much hinged on the decisions of a single individual. The outcome of his talks with Trump could shape not only the future of Gaza, but also the trajectory of Pakistan’s relations with the United States—and the stability of Munir’s own position at home.
For now, all eyes remain on Islamabad and Washington. The coming weeks will reveal whether Munir can navigate the treacherous waters of international diplomacy, domestic politics, and public opinion. The stakes could hardly be higher, and the consequences—both for Pakistan and the region—will be felt for years to come.
