Pakistan’s history of playing both sides in the fight against terrorism is raising fresh alarms. Once a hideout for Osama bin Laden while pocketing billions in U.S. aid, the country now appears to be giving shelter and support to Hamas militants, all while claiming to be a key partner in counterterrorism efforts. A new report from Bangladesh’s Blitz outlet spells out how this double game is putting global security at risk.
The report points to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency as the main culprit. It claims the ISI is secretly training Hamas fighters in hidden camps, including one in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). While the West ramps up efforts to isolate Hamas after its brutal October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Pakistan is quietly providing the Gaza-based group with safe havens, resources, and military know-how. This partnership, the report warns, doesn’t just threaten Israel and India—it undermines U.S. counterterrorism strategies and endangers the world at large.
Just last week, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir to the White House. Yet, according to the report, Islamabad keeps up its old tricks of deception. Credible intelligence sources say Hamas representatives roam freely in Pakistan. They show up at public events, build ties with local jihadist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad, and get hands-on training from ISI agents and a special Pakistan Army unit.
These revelations cast doubt on Pakistan’s status as a “major non-NATO ally” of the U.S. The report argues that continuing this alliance could backfire on Western efforts to cut off Hamas. Even more troubling, Hamas tactics seem to be rubbing off on Pakistan’s military. Drawing from the October 7 massacre blueprint, Pakistan has tried launching similar rocket strikes on India—though Indian forces stopped them.
The ties run deep. The report highlights a deadly link to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in India. Senior Hamas operatives visited PoK just two months earlier, reportedly meeting Jaish-e-Mohammad members. Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, connected the dots, blaming the timing on growing Hamas-ISI cooperation.
This isn’t a new flirtation. Over the years, Hamas leaders have enjoyed warm welcomes from Pakistani diplomats in places like Lebanon and Qatar. Even retired Pakistani generals serving as ambassadors have helped strengthen these bonds. As the report puts it, Pakistan’s long habit of nurturing jihadist groups for its own geopolitical gains is entering a “new and even deadlier phase.”
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