ISLAMABAD: Security sources on Friday clarified that any decision regarding the deployment of Pakistani forces to Gaza rests solely with Parliament and the federal government, stressing that no unilateral or extra-constitutional step would be taken in this regard.
A senior security official, while interacting with YouTubers and social media influencers, said it was the exclusive prerogative of Parliament to decide whether Pakistan would participate in any proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza. He emphasised that no decision had been made regarding the formation, mandate or deployment of any such force.
The official clarified that Pakistan’s participation in the Gaza Peace Board was limited to reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts and was entirely separate from any hypothetical international stabilisation force.
“The Pakistan Army will not be used against Hamas or the Palestinian people under any circumstances,” the official said, adding that Pakistan’s red line was clear and non-negotiable. “Pakistan will not be part of any effort aimed at disarming Hamas,” he asserted.
Dismissing speculation regarding troop deployment, the official reiterated that decisions taken in the public interest were the responsibility of the federal government, not the armed forces. He said matters relating to troop deployment, command structures and stakeholders remained unclear and were entirely within the government’s domain.
Pakistan formally joined the Gaza Peace Board along with around 20 other countries at a signing ceremony held in Davos on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. The move, however, drew criticism from opposition parties, prompting officials to counter what they described as a misleading narrative linking the Board to potential troop deployment.
Officials clarified that the Gaza Peace Board was a political and diplomatic forum and should not be conflated with an ISF, which does not currently exist and would require a separate mandate if ever proposed.
The security official said Pakistan’s position on troop deployment was categorical, stating that no Pakistani forces would be sent to Gaza under any stabilisation framework involving coercive military operations.
He added that Pakistan’s decision to join the Gaza Peace Board followed extensive consultations with eight major Islamic countries, reflecting Islamabad’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy.
Addressing regional issues, the official said only political dialogue could bring an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting that Pakistan would continue to safeguard its national interests under all circumstances.
On domestic matters, the official said the military remained neutral in politics and operated strictly under the directives of the federal government. He stressed that the National Action Plan was a consensus document and its full implementation was essential to eliminate terrorism.
The briefing also covered foreign relations, reaffirming Pakistan’s strong ties with China, its principled stance on Kashmir, and concerns regarding regional security dynamics involving India and Afghanistan.