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| Ilyas Khan Shakes Hands meet Israeli Official / Photo File (X@WakeelMubariz) |
A brief handshake between Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Pakistan’s National Coordinator on Tourism, and Michael Izhakov, Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2025 in London has ignited a wave of controversy across Pakistan.
The meeting, which took place on November 12 at Pakistan’s pavilion, was captured on video and quickly went viral on social media. The footage shows Khan exchanging greetings with the Israeli official — a gesture that many in Pakistan have criticized as contrary to the country’s long-standing policy of no diplomatic relations with Israel.
The viral clip triggered widespread political and public backlash, particularly from opposition figures, including members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who demanded an official explanation from the government. Critics labeled the handshake as “diplomatic insensitivity”, given Pakistan’s consistent support for Palestine and condemnation of Israeli policies in Gaza.
However, some voices defended the incident, describing it as a routine professional interaction at a global tourism fair attended by hundreds of international delegates. They argued that networking at such events does not necessarily equate to political engagement.
Government sources have yet to issue a formal clarification, while social media platforms remain divided — with many users calling for transparency about Pakistan’s official stance and participation guidelines in international expos.
The World Travel Market in London is one of the world’s largest tourism exhibitions, bringing together industry leaders and government representatives from over 180 countries.
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