- By Ajeet Kumar
- Thu, 28 May 2026 11:49 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- LeT deputy chief warns Pakistan against Israel recognition.
- Threatens elimination for those supporting Abraham Accords.
- Pakistan Defence Minister rejects joining Israel peace deal.
A day after US President Donald Trump asked Pakistan to join the Abraham Accords, Saifullah Kasuri, deputy chief of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), issued a public warning directed at the Pakistani government and Army Chief Asim Munir during an address following Eid al-Adha prayers. Speaking from an open platform, Kasuri said, “Whoever speaks of recognising Israel will be eliminated.”
In his speech, Kasuri claimed that no global power could force Muslim nations to recognise Israel. Referring to alleged defence cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, he further asserted that Pakistan’s military strength had reached a level comparable to Israel’s. He also invoked themes of “jihad” and “martyrdom” while addressing supporters, remarks seen as an attempt to mobilise extremist sentiment.
What are Abraham Accords?
The Abraham Accords are a set of agreements to normalise relations with Israel. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed during Trump's first term in 2020, breaking a longstanding taboo to become the first Arab states to recognise Israel in a quarter century. Morocco and Sudan followed suit.
Trump's push for Abraham Accords
Earlier last week, Trump reportedly told leaders of several Arab and Muslim-majority nations that if a deal to end the Iran conflict is secured, he wants their countries to move toward peace agreements with Israel, Axios reported, citing two US officials familiar with a Saturday conference call.
Trump’s remarks signal what he sees as the next major diplomatic step in the Middle East after the Iran war, expanding the scope of the Abraham Accords, the US-backed framework aimed at normalising ties between Israel and Muslim nations.
Why Trump’s decision could be a major diplomatic concern for Pakistan?
It could create strategic challenges for Pakistan. For decades, Pakistan has relied on a regional narrative strongly aligned with anti-Israel positions and close security ties with Gulf powers. If Iran, a long-time ideological rival of Israel, normalises ties, Pakistan could find itself diplomatically isolated in parts of the Muslim world.
Pakistani Defence Minister rejects call to join Abraham Accords
Earlier on Monday, a video of Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif surfaced where he said Islamabad would not support any agreement that conflicts with the country's "fundamental ideologies".
In an interview with Pakistani broadcaster Samaa TV, Asif was asked about the possibility of Pakistan signing onto the Abraham Accords following reported pressure and diplomatic signalling by US President Donald Trump.
"Personally, I don't think we should join any such accord that clashes with our fundamental ideologies," Asif said during the interview. Questioning the credibility of engagement with Israel, the Pakistani Defence Minister added, "How will you sit down with those people whose word cannot be trusted even for a single day?"
He further reiterated Islamabad's long-standing position on the issue, saying, "We have a very clear stance that this is not acceptable to us."
However, neither PM Shehbaz nor Trump’s “favourite” field marshal Munir reacted publicly to the US President’s call.