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A video and some pictures of Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, tourism advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have been at the center of discussion on social media for the last two days. In these viral clips, he is seen shaking hands and talking to Israel’s Tourism Director General Michael Izhakov.

Just this scene has become a big political storm in Pakistan. Due to the absence of official relations between Pakistan and Israel, there has been a flood of speculation, criticism and allegations regarding this meeting.

What was it in the meeting that the controversy did not stop?

In the viral video, it is clearly seen that Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan is shaking hands with the Israeli official and also having a brief conversation with him at the World Tourism Expo, London.

The Israeli-Pakistani meeting was a surprise in London. WTM London, General of the Ministry of Tourism Israeli, Michael Yitzhakub, , , pic.twitter.com/LmzkEgj0tr

— roi kais • روعي كايس • روعي کييس (@kaisos1987) November 12, 2025

Many Pakistani journalists and social media users shared these pictures and raised the question whether Pakistan is now moving towards softening of relations with Israel. Because recently Pakistan welcomed US President Trump’s 20-point plan related to ceasefire in Gaza, after which the discussion on Pakistan’s traditional two-nation solution policy also intensified.

Sardar Yasir Ilyas’ clarification

Sardar Yasir Ilyas has clarified that this meeting was not fixed. In a statement given to BBC, Yasir Ilyas said that the meeting was neither formal nor arranged. Israeli representatives came to the Pakistani pavilion without identity badges. His pictures have been distorted on social media. When journalists asked questions to the Ministry of External Affairs in the weekly press briefing, the spokesperson gave almost the same answer thrice that we were not aware of this meeting.

Is there a new turn in Pakistan-Israel relations?

Pakistan has been clearly saying for decades that Israel will not be recognized until a just solution is found for the Palestinians. But due to some recent developments, questions have started being raised on Pakistan. For example, support for Trump’s plan, claims of support for Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, proposal for a joint peacekeeping force of eight Muslim countries.