For Pakistan, Joining Abraham Accords Is a Tricky Choice

Pakistan finds itself at a diplomatic crossroads following a demand from former US President Donald Trump for Islamabad to sign the Abraham Accords. Trump linked this demand to a potential deal aimed at ending the Iran war, suggesting that countries including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar should normalize relations with Israel.

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After all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords.

Trump stated on social media that it should be mandatory for these nations to simultaneously sign onto the Abraham Accords. He specifically called for Saudi Arabia and Qatar to join immediately, with others expected to follow suit. The Abraham Accords, brokered by the US during Trump's presidency, are a series of agreements designed to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab nations.

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The benefits [of joining the Abraham Accords] are real but politically overstated. Pakistan can gain diplomatic goodwill in Washington and some Gulf capitals, and there could be economic or technological openings.

While some Pakistani officials have rejected the demand, the government and its military have yet to issue a unified response. Pakistan has been playing a key role as a mediator in efforts to end the US-Iran conflict, a role that has garnered praise from Trump. This mediation has elevated Pakistan's global standing, but joining the Abraham Accords presents a more complex challenge.

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It could damage Pakistan's standing on Palestine, [fuel] further tension with Iran, and [increase] domestic instability.

Political analyst Raza Rumi noted that while joining the accords could bring diplomatic goodwill in Washington and some Gulf capitals, along with potential economic and technological opportunities, it also carries substantial risks. These include damaging Pakistan's position on the Palestinian issue, escalating tensions with Iran, and potentially increasing domestic instability. Rumi added that without significant progress toward Palestinian statehood, normalization might be perceived as capitulation, suggesting the costs could currently outweigh the benefits for Pakistan.

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Unless there is meaningful progress toward Palestinian statehood, normalization would look less like strategic autonomy and more like capitulation. For now, the costs are likely to outweigh the gains.