Washington, January 22 – A stark new report warns that Pakistan, particularly Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), is rapidly transforming into a ideological and logistical hub for the terrorist group Hamas. As global efforts intensify to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure in Gaza, Pakistan stands out as the next fertile ground for the group’s resurgence, posing severe risks to Western interests and regional stability.
The analysis from the US-based Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) highlights a disturbing trend. While the international community focuses on Gaza, Pakistan is quietly providing sanctuary to Hamas operatives. These figures openly participate in public events and forge alliances with local terrorist outfits, undermining Western diplomatic isolation efforts against the group.
The report notes the establishment of the Board of Peace, an intergovernmental body led by the United States on January 15, 2026, aimed at fostering stability in Gaza, restoring credible governance, and ensuring lasting peace. Just days later, on January 18, US President Donald Trump invited Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to join as chair. Yet, Pakistan’s hospitality towards Hamas representatives raises serious doubts about its reliability as a major non-NATO ally.
Post the brutal Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, activities of Nazi Zaheer, special representative of Hamas leader Khalid Mashal, surged in Pakistan. Zaheer has become a fixture at anti-Israel rallies and conferences, often sharing platforms with figures linked to US-designated terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Additionally, Khalid Qaddoumi, Hamas’s Tehran-based representative, has frequently appeared at events in Pakistani institutions since October 2023, seeking international backing. Their presence signals Islamabad’s tacit endorsement of Hamas’s agenda, a development that should alarm Washington given Pakistan’s lack of firm commitment to counter-terrorism.
On February 5, 2025, during Kashmir Solidarity Day in PoK, events featured Pakistani military, government officials, jihadist commanders, and Hamas leaders. This growing infiltration of Hamas into Pakistan’s political fabric, including meetings with Pakistani envoys, underscores a deepening nexus that threatens global security.
Experts urge the US to reassess its strategic partnership with Pakistan. Ignoring these red flags could embolden terrorist networks, complicating peace efforts in the Middle East and beyond. The report calls for immediate diplomatic pressure to curb Pakistan’s role as a terror haven.