Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump has urged Pakistan and several other Muslim-majority countries to join the Abraham Accords as part of efforts to secure a settlement with Iran.

The proposal, made public on Monday through a Truth Social post, calls for simultaneous normalization with Israel by countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and Pakistan to strengthen a broader regional agreement ending hostilities involving Iran.

Pakistan has firmly rejected the suggestion, reaffirming its longstanding position that recognition of Israel remains conditional on a viable, independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Islamabad received communication regarding the proposal but maintained its consistent policy on the Palestinian issue. Officials described the stance as principled and unchanged despite evolving regional dynamics.

Trump stated he had spoken with leaders of the mentioned countries on Saturday. He described the potential inclusion of Iran in an expanded framework as an “unparalleled World Coalition” if a deal is reached.

The Abraham Accords, originally brokered by Trump in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. Recent expansions included Kazakhstan in late 2025.

**Official Position**

Pakistan’s rejection aligns with decades of foreign policy. Since 1948, Islamabad has not recognized Israel and has consistently supported Palestinian self-determination. Successive governments, including the current administration, have reiterated this condition.

A senior diplomatic official in Islamabad stated that Pakistan supports regional peace, de-escalation, and stability but will not allow its position on Palestine to be incorporated into normalization frameworks without addressing core Palestinian demands.

The Foreign Office has not issued a detailed public statement yet but sources indicate quiet diplomatic channels are addressing the matter with key allies.

**Key Context And Figures**

The proposal comes amid ongoing US-led efforts to negotiate an end to recent Iran-related tensions. Trump has described negotiations with Iran as progressing, though no final agreement has been announced.

Pakistan maintains strong ties with Gulf states, many of which are already part of or considering aspects of the Abraham Accords framework. Bilateral trade with the UAE alone exceeds $20 billion annually, while Saudi Arabia remains a major source of remittances and energy cooperation.

Over 8 million Pakistanis work in Gulf countries, sending remittances worth nearly $30 billion in recent fiscal years, according to State Bank of Pakistan data. These economic links add layers to Islamabad’s diplomatic calculations.

Pakistan’s military and diplomatic establishment has historically balanced relations with the US, China, and Muslim world partners. The country has provided logistical support in past regional efforts while maintaining strategic autonomy on Palestine.

**Reactions**

No immediate public reactions emerged from other listed countries, though domestic sentiment in many Muslim-majority nations remains strongly opposed to normalization without Palestinian progress.

In Pakistan, political parties across the spectrum, including PML-N, PPP, and PTI, have historically supported the pro-Palestine stance. Public opinion polls and street sentiment consistently show overwhelming support for this position.

Analysts note the timing places pressure on Islamabad at a moment when economic challenges persist, with inflation hovering around 10-12 percent in recent months and the need for continued IMF and Gulf financial support.

**Broader Implications**

The development highlights tensions between US priorities for regional realignment and Pakistan’s independent foreign policy traditions. By linking the Iran settlement to broader normalization, the proposal aims to create a comprehensive security and economic architecture.

For Pakistan, the challenge lies in navigating relations with Washington and Gulf partners without compromising core principles. Officials emphasize that support for de-escalation with Iran does not require acceptance of the normalization package.

Strategic observers suggest Pakistan may continue quiet engagement on Iran-related stability issues, given shared borders and security concerns, while publicly upholding its Palestine policy. Iran and Pakistan share a 900-kilometer border, with ongoing cooperation on counter-terrorism and trade.

The coming weeks are expected to see further diplomatic activity as US negotiators pursue the Iran track. Pakistan’s response will likely focus on multilateral forums such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where it has traditionally played an active role on Palestinian issues.

Regional analysts indicate that while economic