ISLAMABAD:Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Tuesday dismissed reports that Pakistani journalists had visited Israel, reiterating the country’s longstanding policy of non-recognition of Israel and support for Palestinian statehood.
The statement came after international media, including “The Jerusalem Post”, reported that a group of Pakistani journalists had traveled to Israel to study the Holocaust and the October 7 attacks.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan addressed the matter during a weekly press briefing, stating that the government was gathering information on the reports. However, a subsequent press release clarified that Pakistani passports explicitly state they are “not valid for travel to Israel,” making such a visit impossible under current regulations.
“The Government of Pakistan has noted reports regarding Pakistani journalists traveling to Israel. In this regard, it is clarified that Pakistani passports explicitly state they are ‘not valid for travel to Israel.’ Therefore, no such visit is possible under existing regulations,” the Foreign Office said.
The statement reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering position on the Palestinian issue, emphasizing that Islamabad does not recognize Israel and continues to support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al-Sharif) as its capital.
“Pakistan reiterates its unwavering commitment to a just and peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Palestinian people,” the statement concluded.
The alleged visit, if confirmed, would have marked a highly unusual development given Pakistan’s strict diplomatic stance on Israel. No official confirmation or further details about the journalists involved have been provided.
