According to sources cited by Reuters, this would be Munir’s third meeting with Trump in just six months, underscoring the rapid consolidation of ties between the Pakistani military chief and the White House. One source described as closely involved in Munir’s economic diplomacy said the talks are expected to centre on Washington’s plan to assemble a multinational force drawn largely from Muslim-majority countries to oversee Gaza’s transition after more than two years of devastating Israeli military operations.
Trump’s 20-point Gaza proposal envisions an interim stabilisation mission tasked with supporting reconstruction, economic recovery and security in the Palestinian territory. A key element of the plan includes the demilitarisation of Hamas, a prospect that has made many potential contributors cautious. Analysts warn that participation could entangle foreign troops in a volatile conflict and provoke anger at home, particularly in countries with strong pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli public sentiment.
For Munir, the decision carries exceptional weight. Since assuming expanded authority as Pakistan’s chief of defence forces, he has emerged as the country’s most influential military figure, with wide-ranging control over security and strategic policy. His leadership is now being tested by competing pressures: maintaining domestic stability while navigating an increasingly transactional relationship with Washington.
Munir has worked deliberately to rebuild trust with the United States after years of strained ties. His efforts appeared to bear fruit in June, when he was invited to a private White House lunch with President Trump—an unprecedented gesture for a Pakistani army chief, notably held without civilian officials present. The meeting was widely seen as a signal of renewed U.S. engagement with Pakistan’s military leadership.
However, the Gaza force proposal places Islamabad in a difficult position. A refusal to participate could risk disappointing Trump at a time when Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership are seeking renewed U.S. investment and the resumption of security assistance, much of which has been curtailed in recent years. Participation, on the other hand, could trigger domestic backlash and draw Pakistan into a deeply polarising regional conflict.
Michael Kugelman, Senior Fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council in Washington, noted that declining the mission could complicate Pakistan’s broader objectives. He said that disappointing Trump might prove problematic given Islamabad’s clear interest in reviving security cooperation and attracting American economic support.
As Munir prepares for his Washington visit, the outcome of these discussions could shape not only Pakistan’s foreign policy posture but also its internal political balance. The decision on Gaza is poised to become a defining test of how far Pakistan’s military leadership is willing—and able—to align with U.S. strategic priorities amid intense regional sensitivities and domestic scrutiny.
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