Pakistan’s Prime Minister has reignited debate over Muslim-world cooperation by suggesting the need for an “Islamic NATO-style force” in response to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. Speaking at a high-level gathering in Islamabad, the premier denounced Israeli airstrikes and civilian casualties, calling them “unacceptable violations of international humanitarian law.”
The remarks quickly gained traction across regional media, with supporters hailing them as a bold stand for Muslim unity and critics warning of the risks of escalating tensions.
A Call for “Collective Security”
According to officials present at the meeting, the Prime Minister argued that fragmented diplomatic statements are no longer enough. Instead, he floated the idea of a security framework resembling NATO — but tailored to the Islamic world — that could act as a collective deterrent and safeguard the rights of oppressed Muslim communities.
While he stopped short of detailing how such a force would function, the reference to NATO has fueled debate on whether this could move beyond rhetoric to actual military or strategic cooperation among Muslim-majority countries.
Historical Precedent and Skepticism
The idea is not entirely new. In 2015, Saudi Arabia announced an “Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition” of more than 40 Muslim-majority states. However, that initiative focused on countering extremist groups rather than geopolitical disputes with states. Analysts say that shifting its mandate toward confronting Israel would be far more controversial and politically complicated.
Experts also note that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the world’s second-largest intergovernmental body after the UN, has struggled to move beyond symbolic resolutions when it comes to the Palestinian issue.
International Reactions
Israel has not yet officially responded to the Pakistani Prime Minister’s comments, but Western diplomats have already expressed concern that such rhetoric could inflame regional hostilities. Some Gulf countries, which recently pursued normalization talks with Israel, are expected to tread cautiously.
Meanwhile, Palestinian officials welcomed the strong words, saying that Muslim unity is essential to putting pressure on Israel both diplomatically and economically.
What Comes Next?
Whether the Prime Minister’s remarks translate into concrete steps remains uncertain. Diplomats suggest the most immediate actions could include:
- A push at the United Nations for accountability and ceasefire resolutions.
- Greater humanitarian support for Palestinians displaced by the conflict.
- Coordinated economic and diplomatic measures from Muslim-majority states.
For now, the call for an “Islamic NATO force” appears more symbolic than operational, but it underscores the rising anger in Pakistan — and across much of the Muslim world — at Israel’s actions in Gaza.
