Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said his country will not join the Abraham Accords, rejecting a proposal from the U.S. [1].
This refusal signals a firm commitment to Pakistan's long-standing foreign policy regarding Israel. By rejecting the deal, Pakistan maintains its ideological stance and avoids the diplomatic complications associated with formalizing ties with the Israeli government.
Speaking in an interview with Samaa TV in Pakistan, Asif said the proposal was "not acceptable to us" [2]. He said that joining such an arrangement would conflict with Pakistan’s fundamental principles [3]. The minister said the move would clash with the core ideological foundations of the state [3].
Asif said the practical reality of Pakistan's current diplomatic status, noting that Pakistani passports do not list Israel [3]. This lack of formal recognition serves as a physical marker of the country's refusal to engage in the normalization process that characterizes the Abraham Accords.
During the interview, the minister also questioned the trustworthiness of engagement with Israel [3]. He said the proposed shift in policy would be inconsistent with the national interest, and the principles that guide Pakistan's international relations.
The Abraham Accords, a series of agreements mediated by the U.S., have sought to normalize relations between Israel and various Arab nations. Pakistan's rejection underscores the continued divide between these normalization efforts and the policies of several Muslim-majority nations in South Asia.
“"Not acceptable to us"”
Pakistan's refusal to join the Abraham Accords reinforces its role as a state that prioritizes ideological alignment and solidarity with Palestinian causes over the strategic or economic incentives offered by U.S.-led normalization deals. This decision ensures that Pakistan remains outside the framework of formal diplomatic relations with Israel, maintaining a geopolitical boundary that distinguishes its foreign policy from some of its neighbors in the Middle East.
