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• Info ministry denies claims ‘not valid for travel to Israel’ clause has been removed from passports
• Says no discussions or agreements with CIA or Israel ever took place
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has slammed Indian media for peddling yet another “baseless and laughable” story — this time claiming that Islamabad had quietly removed the clause from its passports barring travel to Israel, Dawn.com reported.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting swiftly rubbished the report aired by Republic TV, calling it a “fabricated attempt to spread disinformation and create confusion.”
In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry said no such move had ever been discussed or considered by the government.
India’s Republic TV had alleged that Pakistan deleted the clause stating the passport was “not valid for travel to Israel.”
The ministry also stated that no discussions or agreements had taken place with the CIA or Israel regarding the Gaza peace force.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed that the Pakistani passport remains unchanged, with the long-standing clause still clearly printed: “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel.”
Exposing the fabricated report, the information ministry said Pakistan’s stance on Israel has always been clear and unwavering.
“Pakistan has never recognised Israel, and there is absolutely no question of military cooperation,” the statement said.
“Our support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination is firm and principled, and it has never wavered.”
The ministry further noted that Republic TV’s story was not picked up by any credible regional or international outlet — proof, it said, of how “fabricated and unserious” the claim was.
It may be noted that the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports announced earlier this month that Pakistani passports are being upgraded with modern security features to prevent forgery and misuse.
The new passports will include the mother’s name and visa pages featuring images of national landmarks that reflect Pakistan’s cultural diversity.
Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2025
