Pakistani Delegation’s Visit to Israel: Reality, Conspiracy, or a New Path for Relations?
By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
The world is like a colorful story where every country, every nation, and every individual plays a role. Some characters are in the spotlight, some are hidden in the shadows, and some remain silent spectators behind the curtains. This complex web of history, politics, and human relations repeatedly compels us to question: is what we know the truth, or merely a web of narratives?
History holds countless secrets that are revealed over time, yet some decisions and actions leave us perplexed. The visit of an eleven-member Pakistani delegation to Israel has become one such enigma, sparking intense debate from various perspectives. This visit, which reportedly took place in mid-March according to Israeli newspapers The Jerusalem Post and Israel Hayom, raises many questions.
The eleven-member Pakistani delegation comprised journalists, documentary filmmakers, and civil society representatives who visited Israel’s Holocaust Museum, sites of the October 7, 2023 attacks, and other cultural and historical landmarks. The trip was organized by Sharaka, a non-profit organization that promotes interfaith and intercultural harmony in the Middle East. If viewed from a positive perspective, the purpose of this visit was an international dialogue, offering the Pakistani delegation an opportunity to observe Israel’s social, cultural, and historical aspects firsthand. However, there is another side to the story—one that appears more complex and mysterious.
Pakistan and Israel have always been entangled in an unresolved conflict, and in Pakistan, Israel has remained a highly sensitive topic. Pakistan has never recognized Israel, and even today, Pakistani passports bear the inscription: “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel.” But the question arises: what harm has Israel done to Pakistan? And what is Pakistan’s issue with Israel?
Since its inception, Pakistan has taken a firm stance in support of Palestine and has refused to recognize Israel. Given this, a natural question arises: what was the agenda behind this visit by Pakistani journalists and civil society members? Was it merely an educational and cultural visit, or did it signal a larger strategic shift behind the scenes?
Public sentiment in Pakistan has always been strongly anti-Israel, driven by religious and political motivations. However, various political and non-political forces have occasionally sought to establish covert ties with Israel. In 2020, Israeli media claimed that Pakistan’s then-National Security Advisor, Moeed Yusuf, had met with Israeli officials and visited Israel. Similarly, Israel Hayomalleged that Zulfi Bukhari, Pakistan’s then-Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, made a secret trip to Israel and conveyed messages from then-Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to Israeli officials and Mossad’s chief. Although the government and Bukhari denied these claims, they indicate that certain state-level factions are in favor of ties with Israel but refrain from open engagement due to religious and public pressure.
An Unusual Visit
Members of the delegation stated that they wanted to understand Israeli people and culture up close. They expressed the view that Pakistan and Israel could normalize relations, but opposition from “extremist Islamic groups” would be a major challenge. According to them, this process could take 10 to 20 years to complete.
Pakistani documentary filmmaker Sabeen Agha, who was part of the delegation, said, “I always wanted to visit Israel to find answers to the questions in my mind and to clear the confusion created by my country and the Muslim world about Jews.” She further stated, “I wanted to know what Israel had done to Pakistan. And when I arrived, I found that they are just like us—ordinary people with their own culture, history, and dreams.”
This statement brings forth a new perspective. Should we really view everything through the lens of religion and politics? Have we been stripped of the right to meet people, converse with them, and learn about their realities? Sabeen Agha’s remarks add another dimension to the discussion. She wanted to understand the reality of Israel beyond the established Pakistani narrative. According to her, when she revealed that she was from Pakistan, she was met with unexpected warmth.
While it is true that the Israeli people go about their daily lives just like any other nation, the question remains: Was this visit not against the sentiments of the Pakistani people?
This visit raises many questions, each with two sides. The phrase “for now”holds significance, as nothing is permanent in global politics. If Saudi Arabia can improve relations with Israel, and Arab countries can normalize ties, is it possible for Pakistan as well? When comparing Pakistan’s stance with other Muslim nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE—where the UAE has already established diplomatic relations with Israel—some members of the delegation pointed out that if Saudi Arabia normalizes ties, it would become easier for Pakistan to follow suit. This seems plausible because Pakistan has traditionally aligned its foreign policy closely with Saudi Arabia. However, given Pakistan’s internal situation, religious groups, and public sentiment, such a move does not appear imminent.
Another important question is: Who were the actual forces behind this visit? Was it merely an initiative of a non-governmental organization, or was it part of a broader agenda by the global establishment? The Pakistani government distanced itself from the visit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a cautious response, stating that they were gathering more information and that Pakistan’s position of not recognizing Israel “for now” remained unchanged. However, the reality is that such a visit could not have taken place without the knowledge of governmental institutions.
This visit sparked controversy in Pakistan. Some labeled it as “treason,” while others viewed it as a “positive step toward facing reality.”
In the past, there have been multiple instances where Western lobbies have pressured Pakistan to recognize Israel. Global powers have consistently attempted to steer Pakistan in line with their geopolitical objectives. Some analysts believe that this visit might be a test to gauge public reaction toward normalizing relations with Israel. There is no doubt that such geopolitical moves are seldom made without long-term strategic planning.
From a broader perspective, both positive and negative aspects emerge. On the positive side, if we approach different nations and cultures with an open mind, we might realize that behind wars and hatred, there are humans just like us. The modern world is driven by technology, agriculture, and cybersecurity—areas where Israel holds significant expertise. Can Pakistan learn from Israel’s advancements? If diplomatic dialogue were to open, would it allow Pakistanis to think more objectively about global affairs?
On the other hand, the negative aspects cannot be ignored. Pakistani public sentiment is deeply tied to the Palestinian cause. Any such visit could provoke anger and division among the people. If individuals begin fostering ties with Israel in contradiction to state policy, it could lead to internal unrest and policy inconsistencies. The Pakistani people have always supported the Palestinian struggle, and the existing narrative against Israel is not just a product of one government or group but is rooted in historical and religious beliefs. Thus, the desire of a particular segment of society to establish relations with Israel appears to conflict with public sentiment.
This raises the question: Is Pakistan truly ready to improve relations with Israel, or is this merely the agenda of a specific group? Is this visit opening a new gateway or leading Pakistan into uncharted territory? Is it a step toward the dawn of a new reality or merely a fleeting shadow in the darkness?
Some decisions in history leave a permanent mark, while others fade into obscurity. The informal dialogue between Pakistan and Israel might be one of those complex questions, whose answers will only unfold with time.
The world is like a marketplace where national interests are bartered, alliances are forged, and hidden ambitions reveal themselves under the guise of strategy. Some relationships are built on love, some on hatred, and some are merely dictated by time—like a nameless boat drifting in a river, unaware of its destination.
These secret meetings, unspoken gestures, and subtle diplomatic maneuvers between Pakistan and Israel are scattered pages of an unfinished story that only time will piece together.
But the real question is: If this visit was genuinely about cultural exchange and dialogue, why was it kept secret? If the intentions were pure, why did the path seem so obscure? Perhaps the forces behind this meeting are those who do not make decisions in the light but shape history from the shadows.
A secret meeting breeds a thousand questions, and under their weight, the truth is often buried.
This issue is not just about diplomacy or national interests—it is also about the deep emotional bond that Pakistanis share with Palestine. The stories written in the ink of suffering, the pain wrapped in the fabric of history—how will these relations take shape amidst such sentiments?
Will this step create a storm in Pakistan’s politics, religion, and foreign policy, or will it fade into obscurity with time?
This is not a question for today, but for the future—and only time will provide the answer.
