WASHINGTON — In a significant diplomatic engagement at the United Nations, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, declared that the nation had effectively ended its isolation on the world stage through proactive diplomacy. During his first visit to the United States since the commencement of the Trump administration, Mr. Dar called for comprehensive global reforms and bolstering the UN to promote a more inclusive international framework.
Addressing a UN Security Council debate hosted by China, Mr. Dar highlighted the necessity of restructuring the UN and global financial institutions, which he argued have been ineffective in resolving persistent conflicts and economic inequalities. He pointed to unresolved issues such as the conflict in the Middle East and the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, criticizing the UN’s failure to enforce its resolutions and uphold its founding principles.
Mr. Dar advocated for a more democratic, representative, and accountable system that genuinely serves the interests of all nations, not just a select few. He reiterated Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, emphasizing the right to self-determination for Kashmiris as outlined in UN resolutions. He also highlighted the ongoing crisis in Palestine as evidence of the UN’s failure to uphold its Charter.
The minister welcomed the January ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel as a hopeful step towards a lasting peace. He emphasized Pakistan’s support for the ceasefire and the two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
On the topic of terrorism, Mr. Dar called for a unified, non-discriminatory approach, rejecting double standards in addressing extremist threats. He noted Pakistan’s sacrifices in combating terrorism and stressed the need for an international strategy that distinguishes legitimate struggles for self-determination from terrorism. He also addressed cross-border threats from Afghanistan, urging the Afghan government to take action against terrorist groups operating from its territory.
Despite these challenges, Mr. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs and long-term economic development.
In a separate interaction with the Pakistani community in New York, Mr. Dar painted an optimistic picture of Pakistan’s economic trajectory, citing a significant drop in inflation as evidence of effective government policies. He encouraged the diaspora to contribute to the nation’s progress and announced plans to resume Pakistan International Airlines flights to New York to strengthen economic and people-to-people ties.
During his visit, Mr. Dar also met with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, reaffirming the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China. He praised China as the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and lauded Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and its stance on Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting focused on enhancing economic and strategic ties, with both countries pledging to work closely on regional and global challenges and advocating for a balanced, multipolar world order.
