Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan will not allow any country to interfere in its internal matters.
- Resolution Against US Bill: Responding to the US resolution on Pakistan’s general elections. Dar said that Pakistan would table its resolution. The draft has been prepared and will be shared soon.
- National Assembly Speech: Addressing the National Assembly, he said we have rejected the US resolution. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded quickly, terming the US Congress resolution unwarranted and disconnected from our political situation and electoral process.
Pakistan’s Sovereignty and Democracy
Democratic Credentials: He stated that Pakistan is the second-largest parliamentary democracy within the international and the fifth-biggest democratic country. We follow the rule of law when it comes to our national interest.
International Relations and Diplomacy
- We condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, he added, while debunking claims about Pakistan’s isolation. He further stated that we present ourselves actively at international fora on different issues, such as Gaza, Kashmir and Islamophobia, among others.
- United Nations Security Council: Pakistan won non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with 182 votes, which shows a robust diplomatic presence.
Foreign Policy Session
Dar welcomed members’ suggestions for a separate session on foreign policy, where the government would thoroughly present its policies. He expressed readiness to provide a comprehensive briefing on foreign policy matters.
Upcoming Summit and Priorities
Doha Summit: Dar mentioned the upcoming summit in Doha, where Afghanistan would be a top priority on Pakistan’s agenda.
Economic Projects and Challenges
- CPEC Restoration: Through the former government, the activities at the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) were stopped. Shehbaz Sharif not only continued but also accelerated work on CPEC projects.
- Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline: Addressing concerns about the Pak-Iran gas pipeline, Dar acknowledged that US sanctions pose a significant hurdle. He suggested that the Ministry of Petroleum is prepared to brief the house on this issue and proposed that a committee discuss it further.
Economic Resilience
- Resource Wealth: Dar claimed that Pakistan has $10 trillion worth of resources. Despite past predictions of Pakistan’s bankruptcy, the government stabilized the economy within three and a half years instead of the projected 10-12 years.
- Vision and Recovery: Dar expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to overcome the current economic challenges, emphasizing a clear vision and direction. He highlighted the need for constitutional amendments to grant overseas Pakistanis the right to vote, which the government supports.
