BIG Challenge for Asim Munir as the US Wants Pakistan Troops in Gaza

Islamabad: Pakistan's defence chief, Asim Munir is expected to fly to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump next week, according to reports by Reuters. If this happens, this will be Asim Munir and Donald Trump's third meeting in the last six months.

The main agenda of this meeting is likely to be Gaza stabilization force. As per the experts, due to this move of the US President, Asim Munir may face domestic backlash, but may annoy Donald Trump if he steps back.

It is worthy to be mentioned here that Donald Trump proposed 20-point Gaza plan and it calls for troops from Muslim-majority nations to manage the transition period after the withdrawal of Israeli forces. Notably, this move has been taken for reconstruction and economic recovery in the war-affected Palestinian region. For the unversed, Gaza has been affected from more than two years due to the war between Israeli forces and Hamas.

How Asim Munir rose to power?

It is worthy to be mentioned here that Asim Munir was appointed chief of the defence forces recently. He was now given the charge to head the air force and navy, with a job extension till 2030. Meanwhile, Munir will hold the field marshal title forever, and have the lifetime immunity from any criminal prosecution. This immunity is provided to Munir under the recent constitutional amendments.  

Meanwhile, Michael Kugelman, Senior Fellow, South Asia at Washington-based Atlantic Council, talking about the same, said, “Not contributing (to the Gaza stabilization force) could annoy Trump, which is no small matter for a Pakistani state that appears quite keen to remain in his good graces — in great part to secure US investment and security aid.”  

"Few people in Pakistan enjoy the luxury of being able to take risks more than Munir. He has unbridled power, now constitutionally protected," Kugelman added.

What is Pakistan's US Problem?

Amid this decision of the Donald Trump, the big concern in Pakistan is that the involvement of Pakistani troops in Gaza can reignite domestic protest from Islamist parties that are deeply opposed to the US and Israel. 

Meanwhile, as per Abdul Basit, Senior Associate Fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, stating his concern about the same said, "People will say, 'Asim Munir is doing Israel's bidding' - it will be foolhardy of anyone not to see it coming."