By Khawaja Hamza
ISLAMABAD, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday called for a stronger role for diplomacy, dialogue and multilateral cooperation in addressing growing global tensions, saying Pakistan will safeguard its sovereignty and national interests while continuing to work for regional peace and economic prosperity.
Addressing the Margalla Dialogue 2026 on the theme “Global Order in Transition: Navigating Strategic Uncertainty”, Ishaq Dar said the changing international landscape was marked by intensifying great-power rivalries, prolonged conflicts, weakening arms control arrangements and growing links between geopolitics and economic competition.
He warned that instability in regions such as the Gulf and the Red Sea could disrupt global trade, energy supplies and economies, while rapid advances in artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities and other emerging technologies were creating new security challenges.
Citing Palestine and the situation in Gaza as examples of the consequences of impunity, the deputy prime minister said Pakistan remained committed to the principles of the UN Charter and the need to keep diplomatic channels open. He added that Pakistan’s regional diplomacy followed the same conviction.
The DPM/FM highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives at the United Nations, particularly its 2025–26 membership of the Security Council.
As regards the Middle East, Ishaq Dar said Pakistan’s facilitation of the Islamabad Talks between the United States and Iran in April had reflected its commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue. He described the subsequent Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as an important foundation for further negotiations.
He also acknowledged close coordination with China, particularly the joint Five-Point Initiative for Restoring Peace and Stability in the Gulf and Middle East Region issued on March 31, 2026, in Beijing.
The deputy prime minister said Pakistan was maintaining diplomatic engagement with regional partners, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt through the R-4 framework, as well as European partners, to sustain negotiations and prevent further escalation.
On South Asia, Ishaq Dar warned that unresolved disputes, military asymmetries and unilateral actions continued to threaten regional stability. He said Pakistan’s response to India’s aggression in May 2025 through Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos demonstrated its determination and capability to defend national sovereignty, while paying tribute to the armed forces for their professionalism.
He reiterated that Pakistan sought peace but would firmly defend its sovereignty, stressing that a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions was essential for lasting peace in the region. He also warned against attempts to weaponise water, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding its rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.
On Afghanistan, the DPM/FM described terrorism emanating from Afghan territory as a serious security challenge, saying Pakistan would continue protecting its people while supporting a peaceful, stable and economically integrated Afghanistan. He stressed that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorist activities against other countries, particularly Pakistan.
Discussing Pakistan’s international partnerships, he described relations with China as a cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy, while highlighting constructive engagement with the United States and expanding cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Iran, Gulf countries, Europe and Central Asia.
He also referred to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, describing it as a defensive arrangement aimed at strengthening collective security and credible deterrence, rather than targeting any particular country.
Emphasising the importance of domestic economic resilience, Ishaq Dar said Pakistan’s ability to navigate international uncertainty depended on strengthening its economy, institutions and technological capabilities. He said economic diplomacy remained central to his work, with efforts focused on expanding export markets, attracting productive investment and promoting technology cooperation to create employment and improve livelihoods.
He further called for a fairer international economic system that addressed the development needs of the Global South, particularly through equitable access to finance, climate adaptation support and emerging technologies.
