The field marshal is expected to travel to Washington to meet with Trump in the coming weeks and discuss Gaza.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, presiding over the 262nd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC), met at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
ISLAMABAD:
Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir would likely be a key figure in Washington’s efforts to successfully launch the Gaza Stabilization Force.
The field marshal is expected to travel to Washington to meet with President Donald Trump in the coming weeks for a third meeting in six months that will likely focus on the force in Gaza, two sources told Reuters.
Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza calls for a force of Muslim nations to oversee a transition period for reconstruction and economic recovery in the war-torn Palestinian territory, decimated by more than two years of Israeli military bombardment.
Many countries are wary of Hamas’s demilitarization mission, which could draw them into conflict and anger their pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli populations.
But the marshal built a close relationship with the mercurial Trump to repair years of mistrust between Washington and Islamabad. In June, he was invited to a lunch at the White House – the first time a US president had received the head of the Pakistani army alone, without civilian officials.
Pakistan has a battle-hardened army that has gone to war three times against its main rival, India, and had a brief conflict this summer. He also succeeded in fighting terrorism in his country.
The military, foreign ministry and information ministry did not respond to Reuters’ questions. The White House also did not respond to a request for comment.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said last month that Islamabad could consider providing troops for peacekeeping, but that disarming Hamas “is not our task.”
In recent weeks, the marshal has met with military and civilian leaders from countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and Qatar, according to military statements, which analysts say appear to be consultations on force in Gaza.
Abdul Basit, a senior research associate at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said if the situation escalated once Gaza forces were on the ground, it would quickly cause problems.
