Pakistan joins fresh diplomatic push for Gaza peace

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar will join his counterparts from key Arab and other Muslim countries in Istanbul on Monday (today) to discuss Gaza peace efforts.

Invited by Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the meeting brings together Pakistan and seven other Arab-Islamic countries that were engaged in the peace initiative culminating in the Gaza Peace Agreement signed in Sharm El-Sheikh.

During the Istanbul gathering, Pakistan will emphasise the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, demand complete Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian Territory, especially Gaza, and urge the provision of unfettered humanitarian assistance and reconstruction of the enclave, according to a Foreign Office statement.

The Pakistani delegation will also reaffirm the need for a viable, independent and contiguous State of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, based on the pre-1967 borders, consistent with UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

"Pakistan has been, and will continue to be, committed to efforts to restore peace, justice and dignity to the Palestinian people, as well as to ensure the realisation of their right to self-determination," the press release stated.

Beyond the diplomatic forum, Pakistan's potential role in the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza is under deliberation. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has confirmed that the decision on contributing Pakistani troops is still being finalised and emphasised that any deployment would be made under a collective decision and ideally a United Nations mandate.

The ISF, a key pillar of the US-brokered peace framework for Gaza, envisages a multinational force drawn from Muslim-majority countries to maintain internal security, assist with reconstruction, and secure borders under Palestinian and international supervision.

Pakistan, with its extensive peacekeeping track record and previous backing of the eight-country initiative behind the Gaza plan, is seen by analysts as a credible candidate.

Still, Islamabad faces a dual challenge: aligning its principled pro-Palestinian stance with the diplomatic and operational demands of the proposed peace force. Domestic opinion strongly favours Palestinian self-determination, and any perceived alignment with Western-orchestrated missions could provoke criticism.

Meanwhile, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to working through institutions and following due process before any deployment decision.

During the Istanbul meeting, key items to watch include whether Pakistan sets any conditions on its participation in the ISF, how firmly it pushes for Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction of Gaza, and whether the Arab-Islamic group issues a communique laying out operational terms for the stabilisation force.

As Pakistan prepares to take its seat at the table in Istanbul, it is positioning itself at a strategic turning point, from diplomatic protest to possible active engagement in regional stabilisation efforts. The decisions made now could mark a milestone in Islamabad's foreign policy and South Asia's role in Middle East peace architecture, according to observers.