Washington, Jan 22 (NationPress) The risk of Hamas establishing an ideological and logistical presence in Pakistan, especially within Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), is both serious and credible. While the international community concentrates on disarming Hamas in Gaza, it should also acknowledge that Pakistan is increasingly becoming a supportive environment for Hamas to regroup, thereby threatening Western interests in the region, according to a report released on Thursday.

“On January 15, 2026, the US-led intergovernmental body Board of Peace, aimed at ‘promoting stability, restoring dependable governance, and ensuring lasting peace in conflict-affected areas’ in Gaza, was established. On January 18, US President Donald Trump, who serves as the chair of this organization, invited Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to participate. However, Pakistan permits representatives of Hamas to operate openly within its borders, engage in public activities, and form alliances with local militant organizations,” the report from the US-based Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) elaborated.

“This behavior undermines Western diplomatic efforts to isolate Hamas and raises critical concerns about whether the United States should continue to view Pakistan as a major non-NATO ally,” it added.

The report indicated that shortly after the brutal Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, against Israel, the political activities of Naji Zaheer, the current special representative to Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in Pakistan, intensified as he sought legitimacy and support for Hamas's terrorist operations.

“Zaheer has been a prominent guest at significant events and has become a regular presence at anti-Israel demonstrations and conferences in Pakistan. He often shares platforms with individuals affiliated with US-designated terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM),” it reported.

Furthermore, the report noted that in a bid to gather international backing, the Hamas Special Representative in Tehran, Khaled Qaddoumi, has also been participating in rallies and events at Pakistani institutions since October 2023.

“The presence of Zaheer and Qaddoumi at various events in Pakistan indicates Islamabad's implicit support for Hamas's objectives. This should raise concerns in Washington about Pakistan's genuine commitment to counterterrorism,” it stated.

The report emphasized that during the observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5, 2025, militant groups, along with the Pakistani military and government, organized numerous events in PoK, which were also attended and addressed by jihadi leaders and Hamas officials.

“Hamas's influence within Pakistan's political landscape is clear. Over the years, the jihadi movement has engaged with multiple Pakistani ambassadors,” it concluded.