Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Adviser to Pakistan’s Prime Minister on Tourism,was briefly seen meeting and shaking hands with Michael Yizhakov,Director-General of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, during the World TravelMarket (WTM) in London.
The brief exchange occurred at the Pakistan pavilion, where the twoofficials engaged in a cordial conversation. The moment drew notableattention as Pakistan and Israel maintain no formal diplomatic relations.
Images and video clips circulating from the event show the interactiontaking place amid a busy international tourism fair that hosted delegationsfrom more than 180 countries.
The meeting comes at a time when Pakistan’s role in emerging regionaldiplomacy is under renewed international focus, particularly as variousreports have mentioned the country among those that could participate infuture peace or humanitarian initiatives related to Gaza.
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Neither the Government of Pakistan nor Israel has released any officialstatement regarding the exchange. However the Pakistan official has claimedthat the Israeli official made a surprise and unplanned visit and theencounter was accidental and without any prior information or invitation.
The World Travel Market London is one of the largest global tourismgatherings, aimed at fostering cooperation, business partnerships, andcross-border engagement — even between states that do not maintain formalties.