Pakistan’s powerful military leader, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is currently facing his biggest challenge yet. The United States is putting a lot of pressure on Pakistan to send its troops to Gaza as part of a new stabilisation force. This has put Munir in a very tricky spot: if he says yes, he could face a massive backlash at home, but if he says no, he might upset U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump puts Asim Munir on Gaza test: Can Pak army chief appease U.S & avoid backlash at home?
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Munir is expected to travel to Washington soon to meet with Trump. This would be their third meeting in just six months, showing just how close and intense the relationship has become. Sources say the main topic will be Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, which suggests that troops from Muslim-majority countries should step in to keep the peace and help rebuild the area after more than two years of devastating war.
Why the US is looking at Pakistan
Pakistan isn’t just any country in this situation. It is the only Muslim nation with nuclear weapons and has a massive, “battle-hardened” military. Because of this strength, there is greater pressure on Munir to actually step up and use that military power for the U.S. plan.
The mission isn’t simple. The goal isn’t just to keep the peace, but it involves demilitarising groups like Hamas. Many countries are terrified of getting dragged into a long, messy conflict. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, recently hinted that Islamabad might help with peacekeeping, but added that disarming Hamas “isn’t our job.”
The risk of a backlash at Home
The biggest worry for Munir is the reaction within Pakistan. Most people in the country strongly support the Palestinian cause and are very sceptical of U.S. and Israeli policies. If Pakistani soldiers are seen on the ground in Gaza under a plan backed by the U.S., many might view it as doing “Israel’s bidding.”
This could be a gold mine for Munir’s critics. Islamist parties in Pakistan have the power to bring thousands of people onto the streets. Even though the government has banned some of the more violent groups, their ideas are still very popular. The party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, which still enjoys significant public support, could utilise this to challenge Munir’s authority further.
Munir’s unbridled power
Despite these risks, Asim Munir is in a position of power like no one before him. He is now the Chief of Defence Forces, giving him control over the army, navy, and air force until at least 2030. He also has lifetime immunity from being prosecuted for any crimes.
Michael Kugelman, an expert on South Asia, says that because Munir’s power is now legally protected, he has the luxury of taking bigger risks than others. He has already been talking to leaders from countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, likely trying to figure out if a joint Muslim force is even possible.
Staying in Trump’s good graces
The decision might come down to money and security. Pakistan’s economy has been struggling, and Munir has been working hard to fix the relationship with the U.S. to secure investment and military aid. Trump even hosted him for a private White House lunch recently, a rare honour for a military chief without any civilian leaders present.
As one expert put it, Munir doesn’t want to “annoy Trump.” But with the public already on edge, sending troops to Gaza might be a bridge too far, even for a leader as powerful as the Field Marshal.
