LAHORE: 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.
He made the remarks while speaking to the media on the eve of the 983rd annual cleansing (Ghusal) ceremony of the shrine of Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh, here on Thursday.
He said Pakistan was emerging as a global symbol of peace and stability, having successfully shaken off diplomatic isolation through mediation and reconciliation efforts in recent regional conflicts.
“Pakistan’s foreign policy has successfully steered the country out of diplomatic isolation, presenting it as an influential and responsible state,” he added. He highlighted Pakistan’s constructive role as a mediator in helping ease recent regional tensions, particularly by preventing escalation between the US and Iran.
“Pakistan has become a peacemaker. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the relentless efforts of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan worked tirelessly to ensure regional peace. Today, the world knows Pakistan as a torchbearer of peace,” Mr Dar said.
“Even those countries that did not know Pakistan before now know Pakistan,” he added.
He said Pakistan was now viewed as a “middle power” with an active diplomatic role on the global stage.
Stern warning
He also issued a stern warning to adversaries, saying: “We are a peace-loving country, and those who dreamed of isolating Pakistan have faced humiliation. However, as a responsible nuclear power, if anyone looks at Pakistan with malicious intent, we will give a fitting response.”
Reflecting on the country’s journey, Mr Dar said Allah Almighty had blessed Pakistan with nuclear capability, followed by remarkable advancements in its missile programme.
‘Economic power’
He stressed that the next crucial milestone was transforming Pakistan into a robust economic power.
He recalled that in 2017, Pakistan’s economic growth had stunned the world, propelling the country to the 24th position in global economic rankings.
“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, which had become the 24th largest economy in the world, then fell to the 47th spot in the next four years,” he added.
Mr Dar said efforts were now underway by the current government 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.
“We now have to become an economic power. For this, PM Shehbaz Sharif is working day and night,” he added.
Mr Dar also announced that the largest expansion project in Data Darbar’s history was currently underway.
He credited Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif with championing the project.
Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2026
