Pakistan Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar declined to answer a reporter's question regarding whether Pakistan would recognize Israel [1].
The interaction highlights the diplomatic tension surrounding the Abraham Accords, an initiative led by U.S. President Donald Trump to expand regional recognition of Israel [1]. Because Pakistan does not maintain diplomatic ties with Israel, any shift in policy would represent a significant departure from its long-standing foreign policy and domestic political stances.
The incident occurred while Dar was meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio [1]. As the two officials were departing, an unnamed reporter asked, "Will Pakistan recognise Israel?" [1, 2].
Dar did not provide a verbal response to the query. Instead, he walked away from the reporter alongside Rubio [1, 2].
The question follows ongoing efforts by the U.S. administration to encourage more Muslim-majority nations to establish formal relations with Israel [1]. Such moves are often framed as a means to increase regional stability and security cooperation, though they frequently face strong opposition within Pakistan's political landscape.
Neither the Pakistani Foreign Ministry nor the U.S. Department of State has issued a formal statement following the exchange [1, 2]. The silence from Dar during the encounter reflects the sensitivity of the topic and the potential for domestic backlash if the government were seen as entertaining such a shift in policy.
“"Will Pakistan recognise Israel?"”
The refusal to engage with the question underscores the high political risk associated with the Israel-Palestine conflict within Pakistan. By ignoring the query, Dar avoided a public commitment or a provocative denial, maintaining a status quo that prevents domestic unrest while remaining in a complex diplomatic dance with a U.S. administration that actively promotes the Abraham Accords.
