Yes—Pakistan-origin goods could potentially reach Israel through Dubai or the wider UAE, but that is not the same as official Pakistan–Israel trade. The two countries have no diplomatic relations, and Pakistan’s government has stated that it neither conducts nor intends to establish official trade or banking relations with Israel.

A 2023 private shipment reportedly involved dates, dry fruits and spices routed through the UAE. Pakistani authorities described it as a private transaction rather than government-approved trade, according to a statement published by the Press Information Department. A separate report carried by Asia News Network quoted the commerce ministry dismissing rumours of official trade as propaganda.

Why a first step could matter

Limited, transparent commercial contact could create practical people-to-people links. It should not, however, be presented as an official diplomatic initiative without approval from Pakistan’s government. Advocates of gradual engagement argue that this kind of commerce could be a first step toward better relations by helping to:

• Create contact between Pakistani and Israeli business communities.
• Show that cooperation can begin with non-political goods such as food, textiles and handicrafts.
• Build trust through UAE-based trade exhibitions, chambers of commerce and neutral intermediaries.
• Open the door to future work in agriculture, food technology, water management, medicine and logistics.
• Support gradual confidence-building while keeping the sensitive Palestine issue separate from commercial talks.

UAE customs rules require accurate origin declarations. Goods made in Pakistan should not be falsely described as UAE-origin products, as noted in reporting on the commerce ministry’s response.

From trade to trust: a possible path

Pakistani products with export potential

Food, textiles and leather are generally the most practical starting points because Pakistan already has established manufacturing and export capacity there. Food needs special care: Israeli buyers may require kosher certification, traceability, Hebrew packaging and compliance with import rules. Tap a category to filter.

A possible UAE trading structure

A lawful route would look like the six steps below. Select a step for detail.

Such a deal may be possible as a private third-country transaction, but it does not automatically make the goods “UAE products.” The UAE intermediary would usually need a genuine role—importing, warehousing, repacking, distribution or resale—rather than serving only as a hidden route.

Key legal and commercial risks

Use this checklist to track what an exporter must verify:

Recommended starting products

A cautious pilot could focus on the following. The first shipment should be small, fully documented, and arranged through a licensed UAE distributor and an Israeli importer.

It should not be described publicly as an official Pakistan–Israel trade agreement unless Pakistan’s government formally authorizes one. The 2023 case shows that private shipments of dates, dry fruits and spices have been reported, but Pakistani authorities explicitly denied that it represented official bilateral trade.

The other side of the argument

Not everyone will accept this reasoning. Pakistan’s government says it neither conducts nor intends to establish official trade or banking ties with Israel, and its authorities have treated the 2023 shipment as a private matter. Critics may also say that commerce cannot be separated from the Palestine issue. This article does not argue that these positions are wrong; it argues that limited, lawful, openly documented private contact is a first step worth discussing, and that any move beyond it is a decision for Pakistan’s government and people.

Khurram Ali Raza
Writes for Faith & Freedom News (FFN) on international relations, trade and interfaith affairs.