Pakistanis Back Troop Deployment to Gaza in Poll

A new Gallup Pakistan poll reveals that nearly three-quarters of the country’s population supports deploying troops to Gaza as part of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), signaling a robust public engagement in Palestinian affairs. The findings come against the backdrop of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s anticipated participation at the inaugural meeting of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on February 19, which includes Pakistan alongside several other Muslim-majority nations.

Conducted between January 15 and February 3, the survey interviewed over 1,600 respondents nationwide via telephone calls, with a margin of error of about 2 to 3 percentage points. The poll indicates that 74 percent favor troop deployment in Gaza, while only 6 percent are opposed, and 16 percent remain undecided.

Bilal Gilani, Executive Director at Gallup Pakistan, observed, “The findings reveal strong public sympathy for Palestinians but also highlight uncertainty over the political frameworks around the future of Gaza.”

Trump proposed both the ISF and the Board of Peace (BoP) as part of a 20-point plan aimed to end the Gaza conflict. The BoP was formally established in January with an 11-page charter that doesn’t explicitly mention Gaza, though its mandate will be capped at the end of 2027 under a UN resolution.

Public sentiment on troop deployment cuts across demographics: men showed stronger support (78 percent) compared to women (68 percent). Urban areas demonstrated higher levels of support for an international force compared to rural regions. However, respondents clearly articulated their conditions, with about 86 percent emphasizing the need for a formal request from Palestinian leadership and 81 percent stressing UN authorization.

An additional finding is that there’s greater uncertainty regarding Pakistan’s participation in the Board of Peace. While 34 percent welcomed Pakistan’s entry into the body, 23 percent opposed it, and another 39 percent remained uncertain about its role.

Analysts caution that any military deployment should focus on humanitarian stabilization rather than disarming Palestinian groups like Hamas. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reiterated that while Pakistan may consider peacekeeping operations, it would not take part in disarming Hamas.

These survey results provide valuable insights as Pakistan considers its potential involvement in Gaza amidst regional efforts led by countries such as Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. Analysts suggest that a coordinated engagement strategy could mitigate political risks for Islamabad’s foreign policy.

The findings underscore the significant public support for an international stabilization force but also highlight uncertainties around governance frameworks and troop deployments, indicating the complex geopolitical landscape shaping Pakistan’s potential role in Gaza.