An alleged delegation involving two Pakistanis living outside their home country traveled to Israel, sparking anger at home.

Pakistan has no relationship with Israel, and that official position remains unchanged, govt says [Getty]

Pakistan has firmly rejected claims that it approved a visit by several of its nationals to Israel, according to local media, stressing that it has no relationship with the country.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed to the World Economic Forum last week that he had met with an “expatriate Pakistani delegation” a few weeks ago, which included two nationals living in the United States.

The Pakistani government denied that the group was on an official visit.

“Pakistan’s position on the Palestinian issue is clear and unambiguous. There is no change in our policy on which there is full national consensus. Pakistan strongly supports the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement.

The alleged delegation included Pakistani journalist Ahmed Qureshi and Pakistani Jew Fischel Ben Khald. Both are said to have entered the country with Pakistani passports.

Herzog said Pakistanis are “welcome” to travel to Israel and he was pleasantly surprised by the trip.

However, the visit sparked outrage in Pakistan because Islamabad does not officially recognize Israel.

Several prominent members of the Pakistani political class and civil society have criticized the trip.

Former human rights minister Shireen Mazari said she was “shocked” by the inclusion of journalist Ahmed Quraishi, alleging he is closely linked to a “state institution of a sensitive nature”.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Imran Khan, who was ousted in April this year, has claimed that the current government is “in charge of recognizing Israel”.