Efforts underway to make nuclear Pakistan an economic power: Dar

Published January 2, 2025
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar addresses a press conference on Thursday. — DawnNewsTV
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar addresses a press conference on Thursday. — DawnNewsTV

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday that the government was making all-out efforts to accomplish the country’s journey from only being a nuclear power to becoming an economic power.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, FM Dar gave a roundup of the government’s efforts to bring economic stability and enhance Pakistan’s diplomatic footprints through bilateral and multilateral engagements with the latest one being the beginning of the country’s two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2025-26.

Highlighting the high-level exchanges, and Pakistan’s participation in and hosting of international events, he said the incumbent government had strived to enhance the country’s diplomatic footprint during its first 10 months, which led to the the impression of an “isolated Pakistan” being buried.

FM Dar told the media that following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visits and effective engagements with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Azerbaijan, there were indications of around $29 billion investment coming into Pakistan.

He highlighted Pakistan’s participation in the Nuclear Energy Summit, World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia, the summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Gambia and visits by the Saudi foreign minister, Iran’s late president Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister.

He said that during all the above interactions, Pakistan had effectively raised the issue of Kashmir and the ongoing Israeli decimation of the Palestinian population. Dar added that Pakistan’s consistent efforts at the OIC summit in Gambia led to the appointment of an OIC envoy on Islamophobia.

He said Pakistan was among the very few countries that strongly advocated the implementation of UN resolutions on Palestine and the International Court of Justice’s ruling on the issue, besides condemning Israel’s barbarism against innocent people.

He added that besides hosting Palestinian medical students, Pakistan also dispatched relief aid to Gaza, Syria and Lebanon.

Regarding his multiple interactions with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, FM Dar said a UK monitoring team was about to visit Pakistan in January which may follow the resumption of flights of Pakistan International Airlines to the United Kingdom, as the European Union had already lifted the ban on the national flag carrier.

Dar said Pakistan’s hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit was “well-received and well-praised” and informed the media that the World Muslim League would soon hold an event on education for girls at Jinnah Convention Centre that would be attended by 50 delegates from OIC states, including 30 ministers.

The deputy PM also said that as Pakistan had started its two-year term as a non-permanent UN Security Council member, the country would make efforts to enhance diplomatic outreach, work for dispute resolution and uphold the UN charter.

Responding to a question, FM Dar told the media that Pakistan had eliminated terrorism in 2018 but it resurfaced due to the previous government’s policy of opening the Afghan border and releasing hardcore criminals.

Regarding trade ties with India, he said that “it takes two to tango”, calling upon India to create an environment to help improve the relations.

Opinion

Editorial

A positive note
Updated 10 Feb, 2025

A positive note

With govt unable to press growth accelerator without upending fragile recovery, sufferings of low-middle-income households are unlikely to disappear soon.
Justice for all
10 Feb, 2025

Justice for all

ALONG with his domestic agenda, Donald Trump is busy ripping to shreds the post-World War II ‘rules-based...
Held back
10 Feb, 2025

Held back

IT is a crying shame how women are conspicuously absent from Pakistan’s civil services. Despite comprising half ...
Race against time
Updated 09 Feb, 2025

Race against time

While some bright spots emerged at Breathe Pakistan moot, we must streamline our climate governance.
Open door
09 Feb, 2025

Open door

THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however,...
Football suspension
09 Feb, 2025

Football suspension

ONCE again, Pakistan has been ousted from the global football family. FIFA recently suspended the Pakistan Football...