Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar holds a press briefing in Islamabad on Friday to review Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements in 2025. SCREENGRAB
ISLAMABAD:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday reiterated that Pakistan, which was once dubbed as ‘diplomatically isolated’, had emerged strong and prominent diplomatically, politically and economically among the nations due to the dynamic policies of the incumbent government.
The DPM/FM, who presented the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ annual performance and role at a press conference, said its proactive, principled and firm stance on key global issues won accolades and recognition at the global forums.
Referring to the recent visit of the UAE president, he said the UAE would acquire some shares in Fauji Group and they expected $1 billion liability to be settled through their investment, adding that the second $2 billion loan could be rolled out.
DPM/FM expresses gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and China for their support to Pakistan’s financial stability by extending loan facilities.
Dar said that Pakistan’s international standing among the comity of nations had improved due to its principled and proactive stance and also thanked the national media for projecting the country’s image.
He said when the PDM government was formed, “Pakistan was known as a diplomatically isolated country. But now Pakistan’s key role is recognized in the comity of nations”.
The DPM/FM said during the four-day armed conflict with India, India’s so-called hegemony and as a cyber security provider’s whim in the region was tested and shattered.
The Ministry of External Affairs remained proactive after the Pulwama incident in which India falsely accused Pakistan, adding that the defense of the country was now solid and firm.
He reiterated that during the Indian aggression, Pakistan reacted with responsibility as they always stood for peace.
Dar said the country’s nuclear capability and missile capability had made the country’s defense strong and invincible.
He emphasized that they had now focused on making the country an economic power and once they achieved such a status they would be able to lead the Ummah.
Dar further reiterated that unless the Jammu and Kashmir issue was resolved, no eternal and permanent peace could be established in the region. Pakistan had strongly protested and opposed India’s illegal move over the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the issue was again highlighted at the global level.
The UN Security Council session spoke about human rights violations in the IIOJK, he said, stressing that only a referendum involving Kashmiris, as enshrined in UN Security Council resolutions, could be the only solution to the problem.
On the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), he said they were actively engaged in pursuing the issue at the OIC, Permanent Court of Arbitration and the United Nations and their reports were positive towards Pakistan’s position.
Describing the growing bilateral ties with Bangladesh as a ‘major thaw’ achieved this year, he described his visit to the country as extensive and engaging, during which he held extensive meetings with the CEO, the foreign minister and other advisers, besides meeting Khaldia Zia, Jammat-e-Islami and the students’ party.
“An environment of goodwill was created and after the elections in February we will engage them further,” he added.
On US ties, he said these remained at highs and lows, while under President Biden’s previous administration, the two countries were not engaged, but in the latest administration, trade, investment and bilateral ties were on a positive trajectory.
Anti-terror cooperation was also strengthened, he added.
DPM/FM praised the Trump administration and said that the US played a major role in a ceasefire between Pakistan and India.
On June 11, they had nominated President Trump for the Noble Peace Prize for his role in bringing peace, he said, adding that President Trump had time and again cited the shooting down of seven Indian jets.
He also expressed his satisfaction on witnessing $13.28 billion bilateral trade with the US and said the US reduced tariff on Pakistan had been the lowest in South Asia.
Responding to various media queries, the DPM/FM also highlighted Pakistan’s leadership participation and meetings with their counterparts from various countries including Turkiye, OIC member states, China, EU, ASEAN, UN, SCO and Russia in various bilateral and multilateral fora.
He said various agreements in the fields of economy, defense and investment were signed, enhancing the country’s global reach.
DPM/FM also highlighted Pakistan’s principled position and role for peace in Gaza and resolution of the Palestine issue.
He also clarified that dialogue, engagement, regional stability; economic cooperation and the pursuit of peace were the basic contours of their foreign policy, which suited the national interests.
On the PTI’s protest in the UK, he termed it as pure provocation where the protesters were throwing death threats which was not acceptable at any cost.
The DPM/FM stressed that the UK Government should take responsibility to prevent such provocations. If such incidents took place in other countries, the government would take up the issue and add that they had served a demarche, which was a right step.
He also expressed his dismay at the Taliban regime’s response of not taking concrete and tangible steps against terrorists operating from Afghan soil and carrying out terror attacks inside Pakistan.
DPM/FM said that it was only India that thwarted the functioning of SAARC which was unfortunate.
