The recent political developments in Pakistan present a fascinating case of strategic manipulation, as the country seems to be navigating the shifting tides of international diplomacy while engaging in a delicate balancing act on the domestic front. At the heart of the current crisis is Pakistan’s participation in the Abraham Accords, a peace initiative spearheaded by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which, among other things, seeks to bring Arab countries and Israel together in recognition of one another. However, Pakistan’s attempts to align itself with this ambitious peace plan have been met with domestic backlash, particularly from the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a hardline Islamist political group that has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s internal political landscape.
In this opinion piece, we explore how Pakistan is seemingly using its protests in support of Gaza and its complex relationship with the TLP to deflect pressure from Washington, protect its domestic political interests, and possibly slide out of a deal that would involve recognizing Israel.
The Rise of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP)
The TLP first made waves in 2017, during protests against then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The protests were centered around a minor change in Pakistan’s Election Act of 2017, which allegedly undermined the country’s constitutional declaration about the finality of Prophet Muhammad’s prophethood. This issue, however, soon spiraled out of control, leading to violent protests that brought Islamabad to a standstill. The TLP’s demands were met with swift government concessions, and their leader, Khadim Rizvi, became a household name in Pakistan’s political circles.
In subsequent years, the TLP’s influence grew, partly aided by the support it garnered from the Pakistani military. The group positioned itself as an outspoken proponent of Pakistan’s conservative religious agenda and soon began to play a pivotal role in national politics. The TLP’s rise was intricately linked to its ability to mobilize mass support, as evidenced by its involvement in 2020 protests against France, sparked by controversial depictions of Prophet Muhammad. These protests put the Imran Khan government on the backfoot, and the group’s actions seemed to play a key role in Khan’s ouster in 2022. By 2024, the TLP had become a significant force in Pakistani politics, though it lost some of its vote share in the 2024 general elections.
Despite this, the TLP’s actions remain crucial to understanding Pakistan’s internal politics and its ability to influence external affairs. In 2025, the TLP seemed poised to play a key role in shaping Pakistan’s approach to the Abraham Accords and the recognition of Israel.
Pakistan’s Strategic Ambitions and the Abraham Accords
Under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan has been making concerted efforts to position itself as a regional leader in the Middle East. One of the most significant developments in this regard was Pakistan’s apparent willingness to sign onto the Abraham Accords, a peace agreement brokered by the Trump administration. The Accords, which saw UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan normalize relations with Israel, were considered groundbreaking by many, particularly in the context of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
But as reports emerged suggesting that Pakistan might be ready to join the Accords, it became clear that this would come with a price. Pakistan’s military leadership had a series of private meetings with Trump, culminating in the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed in September 2025 between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. This agreement would have significant implications for Pakistan’s role in the Middle East, and it was clear that recognizing Israel would be part of the broader deal.
For Pakistan, the rewards were apparent: international recognition as a key player in the region, increased military cooperation with Saudi Arabia, and possibly enhanced economic ties with the United States. Trump’s support of Nawaz Sharif’s endorsement of the plan was touted as a huge diplomatic victory. However, the backlash from Pakistan’s domestic political forces, particularly from conservative parties like Jamaat-e-Islami and other religious groups, led to a swift reversal of these claims. Pakistan’s parliament became embroiled in protests, led by religious factions, denouncing any move towards recognizing Israel.
The TLP’s Role in Deflecting U.S. Pressure
No sooner had the news of Pakistan’s potential recognition of Israel broken than the TLP hit the streets in protest. The Gaza issue, which had simmered in the background of Middle Eastern geopolitics for decades, suddenly became a flashpoint for the group. In cities across Pakistan, TLP supporters took to the streets to demonstrate their opposition to Israel, with violent protests erupting and significant damage to property.
The TLP’s protests were not entirely irrational. Despite the fact that Palestinians had expressed tentative support for the peace process, the Gaza protests provided the TLP with an opportunity to mobilize public opinion and assert its influence. The streets of Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad were soon filled with TLP supporters, many chanting slogans against Israel and the West. The protests led to significant clashes with police forces, with hundreds of vehicles being torched and more than a hundred policemen injured.
The TLP’s protest campaign over Gaza achieved several objectives for Pakistan’s establishment. It provided a convenient distraction from the pressure to sign the Abraham Accords, giving the government a cover for rolling back any potential agreement with the United States or Israel. The widespread violence and discontent effectively eased American pressure on Pakistan to move forward with the deal, allowing the government to claim that it could not proceed due to internal instability.
Moreover, the TLP’s protests succeeded in restoring the group’s position as a key political player. In effect, the military establishment in Pakistan was able to use the group to negotiate with Washington while keeping its hardline domestic factions in check. The protests also served as a reminder to the West that Pakistan remained a significant force in the Muslim world, and it could not simply be pushed into agreements without considering domestic political realities.
The Dangerous Divide: Military, Police, and the TLP
While the protests were a boon for Pakistan’s diplomatic maneuvering, they also revealed a deepening internal divide within the country. Punjab’s police force, which has long been seen as loyal to the military, appeared to grow frustrated with the TLP’s antics. In some cases, police officers openly rebelled against the establishment, fueling tensions between the Pakistani military and law enforcement. This has created an unstable situation within the country, with potentially dangerous repercussions for Pakistan’s long-term political stability.
If the TLP’s protests continue to escalate and the military establishment continues to back the group, Pakistan could find itself in a dangerous internal confrontation. The military’s manipulation of hardline groups like the TLP to maintain control over domestic and foreign policy may only delay the inevitable reckoning that the country faces in terms of its relations with the U.S. and the Middle East.
A Crossroads: A Dangerous Bargain
Pakistan is at a crossroads, caught between its long-standing alliances with Saudi Arabia, its strategic relationship with the United States, and its position as a key player in Islamic geopolitics. The country has been leveraging its influence over the TLP and other hardline factions to manage these competing interests, but it risks being caught in a dangerous game. Pakistan cannot afford to sit on the fence indefinitely when it comes to the Abraham Accords. The reality of a shifting Middle East — where Palestine is no longer the central issue — means Pakistan may either have to accept the emerging status quo or risk being left behind.
The situation is fast becoming a diplomatic tightrope for Pakistan, one that requires careful balance. If it continues to play both sides — supporting the TLP while courting the West — Pakistan may find itself facing increasing international isolation. The country must soon decide whether it will be part of the new Middle East or watch from the sidelines as others define the region’s future.
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