FO denies ‘authorisation’ of PM aide’s meeting with Israeli official, reiterates support for Palestine

• FO spokesperson says ‘has no information’ regarding PM’s coordinator reported interaction with Israeli ministry official in London
• Clarifies any such interaction if had taken place was unauthorised
• Pakistan maintains non-recognition of Israel and commitment to Palestinian rights
• FO rejects negotiations with terrorist groups, links attacks in Pakistan to Afghan factions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Friday said it had “no information” regarding the prime minister’s coordinator on tourism, Sardar Yasir Ilyas, reportedly interacting with an Israeli ministry official in London, reiterating that “if such a meeting or interaction took place, it was certainly without authorisation by the government.”

During a weekly briefing, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi stated, “I have no information on this meeting. The gentleman you referred to is a public figure. I would request you to ask him about the meeting. I have no information on this.” He later emphasized that any unauthorised engagement with Israel would not reflect government policy.

Transcript of the Weekly Press Briefing by the Spokesperson, Friday November 14,2025https://t.co/tqVvKQTRFt
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Dw5PdpN4I9

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) November 14, 2025

The comments came after a video surfaced on social media showing Ilyas shaking hands with Michael Izhar-Kov, Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, during the World Travel Market in London, held from November 4 to 6.

המפגש הישראלי – פקיסטני המפתיע ביריד התיירות בלונדון. במהלך יריד התיירות WTM בלונדון, מנכ”ל משרד התיירות הישראלי, מיכאל יצחקוב, תועד בביתן של פקיסטן המוסלמית שאין לה יחסים עם ישראל, כשהוא לוחץ את ידו של יועצו של ראש ממשלת פקיסטן לענייני תיירות, סארדאר יאסיר איליאס ח’אן. כזכור,… pic.twitter.com/LmzkEgj0tr

— roi kais • روعي كايس • רועי קייס (@kaisos1987) November 12, 2025

Israeli journalist Rai Kais noted on X that Pakistan had recently been mentioned as a potential contributor to an international force in Gaza, while London-based journalist Murtaza Ali Shah reported that Israeli representatives visited the Pakistan Pavilion unannounced.

Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan visited London, leading a delegation of 31 tourism representatives from Pakistan to participate in the World Travel Market (WTM). During the event, a group of individuals from Israel visited the Pakistan Pavilion unannounced and met the Pakistani… pic.twitter.com/iohrHgIKVN

— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) November 13, 2025

Reacting strongly, former JI senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan condemned the meeting as a betrayal of Palestinians, while writer Fatima Bhutto described it as “disgusting treason.” PTI leader and ex-human rights minister Shireen Mazari questioned the manner in which the meeting occurred.

شرمناک۔۔۔شہباز،زرداری اور ان کے سرپرستوں کےلئے، ٹرمپ کے لنچ کے اور تعریفوں کے نتائج سامنے آنا شروع ہوگئے۔۔۔۔فلسطینیوں کے قاتلوں سے ہاتھ ملانا اقصی، غزہ اور فلسطینیوں سے غداری ہے،پاکستان کے وزیراعظم کے مشیر برائے سیاحت سردار یاسر الیاس خان کا اسرائیلی وزارتِ سیاحت کے ڈائریکٹر… pic.twitter.com/x1rnG0NWrU

— Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan | سینیٹر مشتاق احمد خان (@SenatorMushtaq) November 13, 2025

Absolutely. It is not when it happened but how it happened! Why is @ForeignOfficePk mute on the issue? https://t.co/f8QLhPHGet

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) November 14, 2025

On Pakistan’s participation in the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), a US-brokered initiative under the Gaza Peace Agreement, Andrabi clarified that “no decision has been taken as yet.” He noted that the UN Security Council is still finalising the ISF’s mandate and stressed that any participation by Pakistan would involve the Parliament.

The FO reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position of non-recognition of Israel and firm support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including establishing an independent state on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Recent FO statements also rejected reports of any changes to passport regulations or clauses prohibiting travel to Israel.

Andrabi further underscored Pakistan’s policy of not negotiating with terrorist groups, calling Afghan Taliban assertions of facilitating talks “hollow claims.” He warned that terrorist activities originating from Afghan territory have worsened since the Taliban takeover and urged the regime to prevent TTP operations from its soil.

In a separate development, Andrabi announced the upcoming visit of King Abdullah II of Jordan to Pakistan for a two-day trip, highlighting the strengthening of bilateral relations.