Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday said Pakistan was now being recognised as a “peacemaker” on the global stage for its role in mediating between the United States and Iran.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, he said that following Pakistan’s role in the US-Iran negotiations, the country was now being recognised as a “peacemaker.”

“Pakistan, which was once said to have become diplomatically isolated, is now being discussed across the entire world,” Dar said.

“Even those countries that did not know Pakistan before, now know Pakistan,” he said.

He added that Pakistan was now viewed as a “middle power” with an active diplomatic role internationally.

“We now have to become an economic power. For this, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is working day and night,” he said.

Recalling the PML-N’s past economic performance, Dar said Pakistan had witnessed strong macroeconomic indicators during 2013–2017.

“This was the same country which, from 2013 to 2017, had its voice heard across the world. All macroeconomic indicators had improved. The growth trajectory was such that even Europe used to appreciate it. Foreign investment had reached its peak,” he said.

“Pakistan, that had become the 24th largest economy in the world, then fell to the 47th spot in the next four years,” he added. Dar said efforts were now underway to reverse that decline.

“Pakistan is now moving towards growth, development and public welfare,” he said.

Referring to the federal budget, he said the government had inherited difficult economic conditions.

“As you have seen in this budget, we were virtually in a state of economic crisis. What we inherited under PM Shehbaz’s leadership was damaged, and when something is damaged, it takes time to be repaired,” he said.

He added that the economic setback over the past four years had required sustained corrective measures.

“That four-year gap caused destruction, and it naturally takes time to fix. But matters are now moving in a positive direction,” he said.