Pakistan’s State Minister for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, announced that journalists who reportedly visited Israel could face serious consequences, including travel restrictions and a review of their citizenship. This comes as Pakistan continues its firm stance of not recognizing Israel and advocating for a Palestinian state with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
The controversy erupted after reports surfaced that a group of ten Pakistani journalists, intellectuals, and influencers visited Israel in March. This raised alarms, especially because Pakistan’s passport explicitly states it is not valid for travel to Israel. Israeli media suggested the delegation aimed to learn about the Holocaust and the implications of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
Chaudhry emphasized the government is investigating how these individuals managed to travel and whether they bypassed existing restrictions. He hinted at potential criminal proceedings if any form of document misuse is uncovered, even suggesting citizenship revocation.
The controversy isn’t new. A similar situation occurred in 2022 when another group of Pakistani journalists visited Israel. The aftermath included backlash and dismissals, with one journalist losing their position at Pakistan’s state television.
Pakistan continues to enforce stringent travel restrictions with regard to Israel and is steadfast in its support for Palestine. Officials stress that such visits, whether personal or professional, violate national policies and create undue tensions domestically and internationally.
