ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday that the government is making all possible efforts to complete Pakistan’s journey from nuclear to economic powerhouse and regain its lost stature in the world.
Addressing a news conference, the Deputy Prime Minister gave a round-up of the government’s efforts to bring economic stability and expand Pakistan’s diplomatic footprint through bilateral and multilateral engagements, the latest of which is the country’s status as a non-permanent one. It is the beginning of the two-year term. Member of the UN Security Council for the year 2025-26.
Highlighting high-level exchanges, and Pakistan’s participation and hosting of international events, he said the current government had tried to expand Pakistan’s diplomatic footprint during its first 10 months, leading to an “isolated The perception of “Shocked Pakistan” was buried.
The deputy prime minister, who is also the foreign minister, said the PMLN-led coalition government inherited major challenges, including a policy rate of around 25 percent, sluggish GDP growth and skyrocketing inflation. However, the government’s prudent economic policies brought the policy rate down to 13 percent, inflation below 5 percent while remittances, foreign exchange reserves and exports increased.
Ishaq Dar told the media that after Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s visits and effective contacts with the leadership of UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Azerbaijan, there have been indications of investment of about 29 billion dollars in Pakistan.
He highlighted Pakistan’s participation in Nuclear Energy Summit, World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia, OIC Summit in Gambia, visits of Saudi Foreign Minister, Late President of Iran Ibrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister and all the discussions. During this time, Pakistan raised the Kashmir issue effectively. . Pakistan’s continued efforts at the OIC Summit in Gambia resulted in the appointment of an OIC Envoy on Islamophobia.
He said that Pakistan is among the few countries that strongly advocated the implementation of UN resolutions in the Middle East.
He said that apart from hosting medical students from the Middle East, Pakistan also sent relief aid to the war-torn ME countries.
Pakistan’s participation in the D8 Summit and appointment of Ambassador Sohail Ahmed as Secretary General, Prime Minister Shahbaz’s visit to China and Kazakhstan, participation in the United Nations General Assembly meeting, where he highlighted the Kashmir issue Also talked. Dozens of world leaders.
Regarding his numerous discussions with British Foreign Secretary David Lemmy, he said that a monitoring team from the UK is scheduled to visit Pakistan in January which may be after the resumption of PIA flights to the UK. , because the EU has already lifted the ban on the national flag carrier.
He said Pakistan’s hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit was “well-received and well-appreciated” and told the media that the World Muslim League would soon organize an event on girls’ education at the Jinnah Convention Centre. which will be attended by 50 delegates from OIC states. including 30 ministers.
The Deputy Prime Minister also mentioned his upcoming visit to Malaysia and Bangladesh in February.
“So, I will visit Malaysia from 03 to 05 February. After completing my visit to Malaysia, I will also visit Bangladesh on the invitation of Dr. Yunus which I received in Cairo. I think the visit to Bangladesh is very important. Bangladesh is our lost brother, and we will work, support and cooperate on these fronts As a non-permanent member During the two-year term, the country will make efforts to increase diplomatic outreach and promote conflict resolution and upholding the UN Charter.
Responding to a question, Ishaq Dar told the media that Pakistan had eradicated terrorism in 2018 but it has resurfaced due to the previous government’s policy of opening the Afghan border and allowing hardened criminals. He said that we want good trade relations with Afghanistan as it will pave the way for connectivity with other neighboring states like Uzbekistan. On trade relations with India, he said, “it takes two to tango”, urging India to create an environment to help improve relations.