Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday reiterated that Pakistan is willing to join international force aimed at restoring peace in Gaza, provided its mandate does not include disarming Hamas.
Addressing a press briefing in Islamabad, organised to review Pakistan’s diplomatic performance in 2025, Dar described the issue of participation in the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) as ‘highly sensitive’.
Dar reiterated that Pakistan, which was once dubbed as ‘diplomatically isolated’ had emerged strong and prominent diplomatically, politically and economically among the comity of nations, owing to dynamic policies of the incumbent government.
He reiterated that during the Indian aggression, Pakistan responded with responsibility as they always stood for peace. Dar said country’s nuclear capability and missiles capacity had made the country’s defence strong and invincible. He stressed that now they had focused to turn the country into an economic power and once acquired such status, they would be able lead the entire Ummah. The DPM/FM said that Pakistan was blessed with immense resources including minerals, precious stones, gas etc and cited foreign investment pouring into the country in different forms like Riqo Diq.
Referring to recent visit of the UAE president, he said that the UAE would be acquiring some shares in Fauji Group and they expected that $1 billion liability would be settled through their investment, adding that the other $2 billion loan could be rolled out.
Dar further reiterated that unless Jammu and Kashmir issue was resolved, no perpetual and permanent peace in the region could be established. About the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), he said they were actively busy in pursuing the issue at the OIC, Permanent Court of Arbitration and the UN and their reports were favourable to Pakistan’s stance.
Terming the growing bilateral ties with Bangladesh as a ‘major thaw’ achieved in this year, he cited his visit to the country as extensive and engaging where he held extensive meetings with the chief executive, foreign minister and other advisers, besides, met Khaldia Zia, Jammat e Islami and students party.
The DPM/FM lauded Trump’s administration and said the US played major role in a ceasefire between Pakistan and India.
He said various agreements in economic, defence and investment were signed enhancing country’s global outreach. The DPM/FM also highlighted Pakistan’s principled stance and role played for peace in Gaza and resolution of Palestine issue. He also spelled out that dialogue, engagement, regional stability; economic collaboration and pursuance of peace were the basic contours of their foreign policy which aligned with the national interests.
About PTI’s protest in the United Kingdom, he termed it as a sheer provocation in which the protestors hurled threats to kill, which was not acceptable at any cost.
He also expressed his dismay over Taliban regime’s response for not taking concrete and tangible steps against terrorists operating from Afghan soil and carrying out terrorists attacks inside Pakistan. The DPM/FM said it was only India that was scuttling the functioning of SAARC which was unfortunate.