Nearly three-quarters of Pakistanis support deploying troops to Gaza as part of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), according to a new Gallup Pakistan survey, reflecting strong public engagement with the Palestinian cause.

The poll comes as reports suggest Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the first formal meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on February 19.

Pakistan joined the body last month along with several Muslim-majority countries.

Conducted between January 15 and February 3, the Gallup survey interviewed 1,600 respondents nationwide via random telephone calls, with a margin of error of 2 to 3 percentage points.

It found that around 74 per cent backed a troop deployment to Gaza, while only 6 per cent opposed it and 16 per cent remained undecided.

Gallup Pakistan Executive Director Bilal Gilani said the findings reveal strong public sympathy for Palestinians but uncertainty over the political frameworks emerging around Gaza’s future.

The ISF and BoP were proposed by Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last September as part of a 20-point plan aimed at ending the Gaza war.

While the ceasefire began in October, the later stages include deploying an international force to oversee security and stability.

Although the White House announced the formal creation of the BoP in January, its 11-page charter does not explicitly mention Gaza.

Permanent membership requires a $1 billion contribution for a three-year term, with a UN resolution limiting its Gaza-related mandate until the end of 2027.

Support for troop deployment cut across demographics, with stronger backing among men (78 per cent) than women (68 per cent), and higher support in urban areas compared to rural regions.

Education levels showed little variation.

However, respondents placed clear conditions on any deployment. About 86 per cent said a formal request from the Palestinian leadership was essential, while 81 per cent stressed the need for UN authorisation.

A joint Muslim-country framework was also considered crucial.

Views on Pakistan joining the Board of Peace were more divided.

While 34 per cent welcomed the move, 23 per cent opposed it, and 39 per cent said they were unsure, reflecting limited public understanding of the body’s role.

Analysts and citizens expressed caution, warning that unclear mandates or perceived alignment with US-led initiatives could undermine Pakistan’s credibility.

Many emphasised that any military role should focus on humanitarian stabilisation rather than disarmament of Palestinian groups.

Officials have repeatedly stated that no final decision has been made, stressing that any deployment would require a transparent, neutral mandate.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said Pakistan could consider peacekeeping but would not take part in disarming Hamas.

The survey’s findings offer guidance as Pakistan navigates its potential role in Gaza amid regional efforts led by countries such as Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, with analysts suggesting coordinated engagement could limit political risks for Islamabad.