Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has signalled that Pakistan is ready to contribute troops to a Gaza peacekeeping force if required, but categorically rejected rumours that its forces would play any role in disarming Hamas.

“A new claim is being floated that this stabilisation force will disarm Hamas. We will provide our force if required, but there will be further consultations, and our force will in no case be used to disarm Hamas,” said Dar during a news briefing in Islamabad on Saturday.

Dar said that discussions on a proposed international stabilisation force for Gaza began in the United States, and Islamabad had earlier indicated it was open to examining the idea.

He said Pakistan later suggested that any such force should be created under an international body, adding that Islamab

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