Pakistan offers troops but rejects role in disarming Hamas
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar says Pakistan supports peacekeeping, not peace enforcement, as debate over Gaza stabilization mission continues
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (MNTV) — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan is willing to contribute troops to a proposed Gaza peace force but will not take part in any mission aimed at disarming the Palestinian group Hamas, Daily Times reported.
Dar told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the question of Hamas’ disarmament first arose during discussions in Riyadh on a two-state solution. He said Pakistan’s stance remains clear: while peacekeeping falls within its mandate, disarmament does not.
“We are not ready for that. This is not our job, but of the Palestinian law enforcement agencies,” he said. “Our job is peacekeeping, not peace enforcement.”
Dar said Pakistan would “positively consider” joining the International Stabilization Force (ISF) once its mandate and terms of reference were finalized. He added that Indonesia — which has offered 20,000 troops — had also privately expressed reservations if the mission involved disarming Hamas.
The debate intensified last month when Defence Minister Khawaja Asif criticized government spokesperson Danyal Chaudhry for suggesting the ISF would be tasked with disarmament.
Pakistani officials, including Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad at the United Nations, have since emphasized that any disarmament process must emerge from political negotiations under a unified Palestinian National Authority.
The UN resolution authorizing the ISF allows member states to join a transitional Board of Peace that will oversee Gaza’s reconstruction. It also outlines the ISF’s role in facilitating the Strip’s demilitarization by decommissioning weapons and dismantling military infrastructure.
Turning to regional security, Dar said Pakistan’s strained ties with Afghanistan escalated sharply after a series of attacks involving Afghan nationals. He said the situation brought Islamabad close to launching military action, but Qatari officials mediated “hourly” to prevent escalation, with the prime minister and army chief agreeing to halt the planned operation.
Despite mediation by Qatar and Turkey, Dar said talks produced “no progress” and urged Taliban authorities to reflect on their “weaknesses and faults.” Continued cross-border militancy, he warned, could trigger a broader international response.
“The time is not far when Muslims and non-Muslims will unite to eliminate this terrorism,” he said, citing recent attacks on U.S. and Chinese nationals linked to militants based in Afghanistan.
Dar said he is working to restore humanitarian aid flow to Afghanistan at the UN’s request, noting that he had secured approval from the army chief and was awaiting the prime minister’s final decision.
On the European Union’s ongoing review of Pakistan’s GSP+ trade privileges, Dar said most outstanding issues had been resolved and expressed confidence that the visiting EU delegation would issue a “very positive report.”
Addressing visa challenges faced by Pakistanis seeking to work in Gulf states, he said the government was actively pursuing solutions.
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