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An appeal by US President Donald Trump has brought a new upheaval in Pakistan’s internal politics, army and foreign policy. He wants Muslim countries to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel, but Pakistan said it is against its core principles. After the statement of Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, the questions became deeper because in Trump’s conversation Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir The name also came up. Now the biggest challenge before Pakistan is how to save its old pro-Palestine policy without angering America. This is the reason why Abraham Accord has now become not only a diplomatic but also a political and ideological crisis for Pakistan.

In fact, on Trump’s appeal, Pakistan has clearly indicated that it is not ready to be a part of any agreement to normalize relations with Israel. But this issue has also raised new questions on the balance of power within Pakistan, the role of the army and the political position of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Especially when the name of Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir was also included among the leaders with whom Trump claimed to have talked.

Why did Pakistan reject Trump’s proposal?

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif almost rejected the possibility of joining the Abraham Accords, saying that Pakistan cannot be a part of any agreement which is against its fundamental principles. He said that Israel cannot be trusted and Pakistan’s stand has been clear for a long time that it will not recognize Israel before the Palestine issue is resolved.

Asif even said that Pakistan is among those few countries whose name does not even have Israel written on its passport. Although he termed his comments as personal opinion, the silence of Pakistan Government, Foreign Ministry and ISPR has made this entire controversy bigger.

What does Trump want?

Donald Trump’s effort is considered to be a major strategic restructuring in West Asia. Trump wants many Muslim and Arab countries to establish formal relations with Israel and to expand the scope of the Abraham Accords. Trump claims that the countries associated with these agreements have got huge benefits at the economic, technological and security levels.

Trump had appealed to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt and other countries to join this agreement together. He also indicated that a new diplomatic structure in the region should be created before any possible agreement with Iran.

This is the reason why pressure on Pakistan increased, because Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir was also said to be among the leaders whom Trump talked to in recent days. After this, questions started being raised in Pakistan whether the army and the government are unanimous on this issue or not.

After all, what are Abraham Accords?

The Abraham Accord was a US-mediated agreement initiated during the Trump administration in 2020. Its objective was to end the decades-old conflict between Israel and Arab countries and establish diplomatic relations. Under this agreement, UAE and Bahrain are the first

Gave formal recognition to Israel. After this Morocco and Sudan also joined this process. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner played an important role in finalizing this agreement. America claimed that this would give a new direction to peace, trade, investment and security cooperation in West Asia. However, pro-Palestine countries termed it as ignoring the Palestinian issue.

Why is this so sensitive for Pakistan?

Palestine issue has always been a very emotional and ideological topic in Pakistan’s foreign policy. Pakistan has not recognized Israel as a nation till date. Islamabad’s official stance has been that it will not establish relations with Israel until an independent Palestinian state is formed on the basis of pre-1967 borders.

This is the reason why this issue is considered extremely sensitive among religious organizations, fundamentalist groups and opposition parties within Pakistan. If Pakistan joins the Abraham Accords, it may have to face huge political opposition at the domestic level.

Why were Munir and Shahbaz Sharif surrounded?

In this entire controversy, the most pressure is visible on Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. After Trump’s statement, the discussion intensified in Pakistan whether any kind of agreement was reached in the talks with America, which later had to be rejected due to public pressure.

The opposition and a section of the Pakistani media have already been alleging that the real power of Pakistan is in the hands of the army and Shehbaz Sharif is only playing the role of the ceremonial Prime Minister. This debate intensified after Asim Munir was mentioned in Trump’s post.

What is the attitude of other Muslim countries?

Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Sultan has currently made it clear that he will not normalize relations with Israel until an “irreversible path” for Palestine is decided. However, considering the changing politics of West Asia, it is also believed that many countries may try to adopt practical strategies in the future.

For many Arab countries, security, investment, technology and strategic relations with America have now become as important as the Palestine issue. This is why Abraham Accords are being seen not just as a diplomatic agreement but as a new geopolitical system of West Asia.

What is the big challenge facing Pakistan?

Pakistan is currently struggling with economic crisis, political instability and international pressures. In such a situation, it is not easy for him to spoil relations with America. On the other hand, recognizing Israel could create a huge explosion in domestic politics.

This is why Islamabad is currently trying to strike a balance. But after Trump’s open appeal and Asim Munir’s name appearing, this issue is not limited to foreign policy only, but has become the biggest test of Pakistan’s power structure and its ideological politics.