Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar landed in Russia on Monday to share the country&#39;s perspective on regional and global issues at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting&nbsp;in Moscow. Dar is leading Pakistan&#39;s delegation at the two-day meeting, which runs from November 17-18. The event is being held at the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, according to a statement from Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 948px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1990284237715730603&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=b93cea67d457c50ae4be591fd9102aada938c5a8&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div> The CHG meeting will be attended by the heads of government of Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the Vice President of Iran and the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and India. Leaders&nbsp;from Mongolia, Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, and Turkmenistan will also participate. Representatives from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are also expected to attend. Pakistan&rsquo;s address The country&#39;s FM&nbsp;will use his address at the meeting to outline Pakistan&rsquo;s position on key regional and global issues, and discuss ways to strengthen the SCO for the benefit of the region. The CHG is the second-highest decision-making body within the SCO. It provides guidance on economic, trade, connectivity, and socio-economic matters, and is responsible for the organisation&rsquo;s budget. The meeting will also adopt a Joint Communiqu&eacute; and make important decisions. On the sidelines, Dar is expected to hold bilateral talks with leaders from other SCO countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Foreign Affairs

The deputy prime minister of Pakistan, Dar, will also hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of other SCO countries on the sidelines of the council.

Dar to share Pakistan’s perspective on regional, global issues at SCO meeting

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, addressing parliamentarians from across the world at an international conference on Wednesday, said cowardly acts would not shake Pakistan&rsquo;s resolve against terrorism. He was speaking at the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers&rsquo; Conference (ISC) held at Pakistan&rsquo;s capital, Islamabad, according to a press release issued by Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1988549845091762214&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=c22b723185f45f52bf63f64329199b676d12b8d1&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Speaking about the recent terror incidents, Dar said, &ldquo;Just yesterday, we witnessed two heinous acts of terrorism in Wana and Islamabad, resulting in loss of fifteen precious lives.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;We categorically reject acts of terrorism in all forms and manifestations, whether these take place in Islamabad, or anywhere else in the world.&rdquo; &ldquo;We strongly condemn this heinous act of violence and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Let me be clear: these cowardly acts will never shake or weaken our national resolve.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 576px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1988558728501788922&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=c22b723185f45f52bf63f64329199b676d12b8d1&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;If anything, they reaffirm our conviction that dialogue, understanding, and partnership are the only sustainable paths to peace and security,&rdquo; Dar added. Dialogue and cooperation&nbsp;He told the audience that their participation proved that dialogue and cooperation among nations were the surest path to peace and progress. Dar said that the conference &ldquo;marks another milestone in Pakistan&rsquo;s sustained efforts to advance peace, security, and development through multilateralism.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;It is also a moment to celebrate parliamentary diplomacy as the voice of the people in global affairs.&rdquo; &lsquo;Parliamentary diplomacy complements traditional diplomacy&rsquo;The Pakistani foreign minister stated that &ldquo;diplomacy today extends beyond ministries and diplomatic missions. It increasingly draws strength from public awareness and growing parliamentary engagement, while remaining firmly grounded in our national and strategic interests.&rdquo; &ldquo;Parliamentary diplomacy complements traditional diplomacy by bringing the perspectives of people&rsquo;s representatives into international discourse.&rdquo; Dar said, &ldquo;By engaging with peers across borders, parliamentarians share experiences, exchange ideas, and discuss the application of fundamental principles of governance, rights, and democracy.&rdquo; &ldquo;These interactions inform national foreign policies, strengthen interstate relations, and enrich global cooperation; ensuring that diplomacy reflects the aspirations, values, and interests of citizens worldwide.&rdquo; &lsquo;Regional connectivity&rsquo;&nbsp;The Pakistani foreign minister said, &ldquo;Through regional connectivity, trade facilitation, and investment partnerships, our economies can move towards growth and shared prosperity.&rdquo; &ldquo;We meet at a time of profound global transformation. Old certainties are fading; trust in multilateral institutions is under strain. Geopolitical rivalries, economic divides, climate crises, terrorism, and widening inequalities threaten the cooperative spirit that sustained peace for past many decades.&rdquo; &ldquo;At such a moment, forums like this conference carry exceptional significance,&rdquo; the Pakistani foreign minister stressed. &ldquo;This reminds us that multilateralism must not only be preserved &mdash; it must be revitalized through openness, inclusion, and the active participation of people&rsquo;s representatives.&rdquo; He added, &ldquo;This is how we can rebuild trust in international cooperation based on dialogue, diplomacy, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.&rdquo; &lsquo;Peace, Security, and Development&rsquo;Speaking at the theme of the conference, &ldquo;Peace, Security, and Development,&rdquo; Dar said, &ldquo;at both domestic and international levels, peace enables growth, development sustains peace, and security and cooperation fortify the foundations for progress.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;Peace and security are not abstract ideals, they are essential conditions for human progress.&rdquo; Dar said, &ldquo;The persistence of conflicts and unresolved disputes continue to cast long shadows over our shared aspirations.&rdquo; &ldquo;These challenges transcend borders, demanding collective resolve and coordinated action; No nation, no matter how strong or self-reliant, can confront these alone.&rdquo; &ldquo;One of the major global challenges of our time is terrorism,&rdquo; he said, adding, &ldquo;Pakistan has been a bulwark against this menace that does not recognize any boundary, religion, gender, ethnicity or race.&rdquo; &lsquo;Preferred instrument&rsquo;&nbsp;Dar said, &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s foreign policy is firmly anchored in the principles of the Charter of the United Nations &mdash; sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference, and friendly relations among nations.&rdquo; &ldquo;Dialogue has always been our preferred instrument for stability and progress. We have consistently advocated for regional cooperation, conflict prevention, and equitable development as the foundations of a peaceful world order.&rdquo; &ldquo;Our decades-long commitment to multilateralism reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s enduring belief that dialogue, not discord, must define humanity&rsquo;s future,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s experience uniquely positions it as a bridge between the Global South and Global North, and between regions and civilizations.&rdquo; &lsquo;Dialogue and cooperation&rsquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Let us reaffirm our faith in dialogue and cooperation. Let us demonstrate that parliaments and governments, working together, can rebuild trust in multilateralism and renew hope in collective action,&rdquo; said Dar. Pakistan stands ready to continue serving as a bridge-builder; uniting regions, amplifying the voices of the developing world, and promoting peace through justice and dialogue. &ldquo;People-centered diplomacy ensures that peace dividends reach citizens, that development is inclusive, and that international cooperation is measured by human progress, not just political agreements,&rdquo; he added. The Inter-Parliamentary Speakers&rsquo; Conference embodies that approach; diplomacy rooted in representation, anchored in accountability, and driven by empathy, the Pakistan foreign minister said.

Emphasizes dialogue, multilateral cooperation, and parliamentary diplomacy at the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference, highlighting peace, security, development, regional connectivity, counterterrorism, and people-centered diplomacy as foundations for global cooperation and trust-building.

Cowardly acts won’t shake resolve against terrorism: Pakistan’s minister  

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday that Islamabad had presented &lsquo;concrete evidence&rsquo; of attacks from Afghan soil to Kabul in recent talks. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; He was responding to concerns expressed by opposition lawmakers in the Senate of Pakistan. FM Dar said that recent dialogues with the interim Afghan government, held in T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar, focused on engaging Afghan authorities to curb cross-border terrorism. He said that groups such as Fitna al-Khawarij (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) and the Balochistan Liberation Army were operating from Afghan soil and conducting terrorist activities against Pakistan. Combating terrorism&nbsp;The foreign minister reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to combating terrorism, urging the interim Afghan government to ensure its territory is not used for hostile activities against Pakistan. Speaking in the Senate, he said that incidents of terrorism have increased even more than in 2012. Agreements made with Afghan Taliban previously, too&ldquo;[Yesterday] Mr Muttaqi called us six times. I told him we want only one thing from you: that your soil should not be used against Pakistan,&rdquo; said the foreign minister. &ldquo;[I told him that] the government has taken a decision, and we will fight [terrorism] to the last breath.&rdquo; Dar said that till 2018, because of Pakistan&#39;s security forces&#39; operations, terrorist attacks in the country had gone down considerably. He said that after the Afghan Taliban came to power, for four years, there were no formal engagements between the two countries. &ldquo;I went to Afghanistan, talked with them, and made agreements.&rdquo; The foreign minister said he asked only one thing of them: that Afghanistan&rsquo;s territory not be used against Pakistan. Dar said that an effort was made to start a train service from Afghanistan to other countries. Unfortunately, with the current government in Afghanistan, violent incidents have increased daily, affecting plans for such a project. Releasing terrorists from prison a mistakeThe foreign minister said that 40,000 TTP members came to Pakistan from Afghanistan, and that the government at that time released more than 100 hardcore terrorists from prisons. Such mistakes, he said, should never have been made. He said that a few years ago, there were 38,000 religious seminaries, and now there are 150,000. He expressed hope that talks between the two sides in Istanbul on Nov. 6 will advance. Trump&rsquo;s active role during Pak-India conflictDar said that US President Donald Trump played an active role during the Pak-India conflict from May 6 to 10, and that the UAE, the UK, and Qatar maintained extensive contact during that period. India had launched 80 drones against Pakistan; the army neutralized 79 of them, while one caused minor damage to military installations, he said. The foreign minister said that India&rsquo;s attempt to construct a false narrative was exposed. The operation against India began at 4 a.m. and ended at 8 a.m. At 8:17 a.m., he said, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called to say that India was ready for a ceasefire. Dar said that the letter recommending President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize was written on June 11. &quot;The role played by the United States was acknowledged through that letter, which was sent under my signature,&quot; he said.&nbsp;The letter will be considered next year, as nominations for the Nobel Prize are accepted till January, he added.

Security

Speaking in the Senate, he said that terrorist groups were operating from Afghan soil and conducting terrorist activities against Pakistan. 

Kabul was presented 'concrete evidence' of Afghan-based attacks: Pakistan foreign minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul on Monday to attend the Coordination Meeting of Arab-Islamic Foreign Ministers, convened to discuss the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the latest developments in the region, the Foreign Office said. The foreign minister met his Turkish counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, on the sidelines of the Coordination Meeting.&nbsp; According to a post on X by Pakistan&#39;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: &ldquo;...the ministers expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of Pakistan-T&uuml;rkiye bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further deepening cooperation across political, economic, and defence spheres.&quot; &quot;Both leaders reaffirmed the strong bonds of brotherhood and mutual support that continue to underpin Pakistan&ndash;T&uuml;rkiye relations and agreed to maintain close coordination on regional and international issues.&quot; The talks, which began at around 4 p.m. Pakistan time, will be followed by a news conference, AFP reported. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1985265992746844404&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=49bdb60b115106e376e5f4079c3e8c9945d24a8a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Gaza ceasefire agreementThe ceasefire agreement, which was signed between Hamas and Israel on Oct. 9, included provisions for the exchange of captives and prisoners as part of the first phase of a peace initiative led by US President Donald Trump. However, despite the agreement, Israel has reportedly resumed its military operations in Gaza. Pakistan, along with seven other Arab-Islamic countries, has remained engaged in the peace efforts that culminated in the Gaza Peace Agreement, signed in Sharm el-Sheikh, which reaffirms Pakistan&#39;s support for peace, justice, and the dignity of the Palestinian people.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar meets Turkish counterpart on the sidelines of the Co-ordination Meeting; reiterates commitment to further deepening cooperation across political, economic, and defence spheres with Turkiye; urges implementation of a complete ceasefire in Gaza

Pakistan to reiterate demand for full Gaza ceasefire at Istanbul meeting

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said &quot;the Muslim world must move beyond words,&quot;&nbsp;hinting at joining forces if a Middle East coalition is formed to counter Israeli aggression. &quot;Pakistan has a very large, known, very effective army, very effective air force, very effective navy &hellip; We have proved that we can beat [our opponent] even conventionally, if challenged,&quot;&nbsp;Ishaq Dar said during an interview with Al Jazeera, when asked how Pakistan might respond if a united Middle Eastern body were formed to counter Israeli aggression.&nbsp;The interview, recorded ahead of the recently concluded Arab-Islamic summit, following Israel&rsquo;s strikes in Qatar and published late Monday night, featured Dar sharing his views about a possible Muslim coalition against Israel&rsquo;s aggression.&nbsp;Asked if the formation of a united body in the Middle East, away from the United Nations&#39; structure, to intervene in Gaza was an option, Dar said, &ldquo;vis-&agrave;-vis the UN Security Council, a mechanism could be chalked out.&rdquo;&nbsp;<div style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; line-height: 2;" id="isPasted">He stated that the UNSC can impose severe economic sanctions.&nbsp;It can cause a &quot;very severe economic dent or pain,&quot; he added.</div>&nbsp;&ldquo;There has been some talk of a &lsquo;combined security force&rsquo; among Arab nations and the Arab League,&rdquo; Dar revealed. &ldquo;Why not? They should form a force, not for aggression, but for peacekeeping and for stopping the aggressor, the occupier, the one who doesn&rsquo;t listen,&rdquo; Dar said.&nbsp;Asked where the nuclear-powered Pakistan would stand in such a scenario, Dar said Pakistan&rsquo;s nuclear arsenal is intended only as a deterrent, not a weapon of first use.&nbsp;&nbsp;The UN has failed to maintain peace Earlier in the interview, Dar also addressed Israel&rsquo;s recent strike in Qatar that targeted Hamas leaders in Doha. He called the attack &ldquo;baseless&rdquo; and &ldquo;rogue,&rdquo; stressing that Qatar was mediating peace efforts alongside the US and Egypt at the time.&nbsp;He pointed to a broader pattern of Israel striking various Middle Eastern countries and ignoring international norms. &ldquo;International law, humanitarian rules, OIC and UN resolutions seem not to affect one country that repeatedly acts however it wants.&rdquo;&nbsp;Dar argued this underscores the urgent need for UN reform. &ldquo;The UN Security Council is supposed to maintain peace. But if its resolutions are being discarded by Israel in Gaza and Palestine, and by India in Kashmir, what do we expect from the multilateral system?&rdquo; &nbsp;&ldquo;This is the need of the hour,&rdquo; Dar emphasized, hinting at legal, diplomatic, and financial measures that Islamic countries may collectively consider.

Middle East

Pakistani foreign minister says that while the UNSC can impose serious economic sanctions, it has largely failed to deter aggressor nations like Israel.

Pakistan ready to act if Muslim coalition is formed against Israel: Dar

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran called for increased cooperation among Arab and Muslim states following Israel&rsquo;s recent airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. Pakistan proposed the formation of a joint task force, while Iran called for the establishment of &ldquo;joint operations rooms&rdquo; to counter escalating Israeli aggression. Their proposals come ahead of an emergency Arab-Islamic summit scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. in Doha (8 p.m. PKT). Nearly 60 Arab and Islamic countries will convene to condemn the Israeli aggression and show solidarity with Qatar. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1967287260388471097&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=3bf6bc7387a33991ee425fbbd28c925568bbe357&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 624px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="1967287260388471097"></iframe></div></div> Israeli strikes on DohaThe summit was convened in response to Israel&rsquo;s airstrikes on September 9, which targeted Hamas leaders attending ceasefire talks in Doha. The attack resulted in the deaths of five Hamas members, including the son of a senior leader, as well as a Qatari security officer. Several civilians were also injured. The attack was widely condemned across the Muslim world as a violation of Qatar&rsquo;s sovereignty and an infringement of international law. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad al-Thani strongly denounced the strike as an act of &ldquo;state terrorism.&rdquo; He accused Israel of seeking to uproot Palestinians from their own homeland. He called on the international community to end double standards and hold the Israeli regime accountable for what he described as genocidal wars. Pakistan proposes a joint task forcePakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar condemned the Israeli airstrike as illegal and in violation of the United Nations Charter and international laws. He proposed the establishment of a joint Arab-Islamic task force charged with monitoring Israeli intentions and coordinating both deterrent and offensive actions. Dar described the attack on Qatar, a sovereign state engaged in ceasefire negotiations, as an assault on diplomacy itself. He called for an immediate ceasefire, a prisoner exchange, and the establishment of a two-state solution. The Pakistani deputy PM demanded that Israel be held accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Pakistan, alongside Algeria and Somalia, also raised the issue with the U.N. Security Council and Human Rights Council, advocating for practical measures including the deployment of an international peacekeeping force in Gaza. Iran calls for &#39;joint operations rooms&#39;The Secretary of Iran&rsquo;s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, sharply criticized Muslim states over perceived inaction regarding the Gaza conflict. In a statement shared via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he called for, &ldquo;at the very least, establishing a &lsquo;joint operations room&rsquo; against the madness of this entity,&rdquo; referring to Israel. Larijani warned that conferences filled only with rhetoric but lacking tangible outcomes invite further Israeli aggression. He urged Muslim states to unite in practical, coordinated resistance, asserting that such a move could destabilize the Israeli regime and compel change. Summit draft resolutionA draft resolution from the summit described the Israeli strike as a destabilizing escalation. It accused Israel of carrying out genocidal acts, ethnic cleansing, and colonial expansion that threaten peace prospects and normalization agreements in the region, such as the Abraham Accords, signed five years ago to normalize relations between Israel and several Gulf states. Convening of the Preparatory Ministerial Meeting for the Joint Arab-Islamic Emergency Summit in Doha to Discuss the Israeli Attack on the State of Qatar, image courtesy: <a data-fr-linked="true" href="//OIC.com" style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">OIC.com</a> Despite strong condemnation from the Arab-Islamic world, Israel maintained a defiant stance. On the day Arab ministers convened in Doha, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem.&nbsp; Rubio&rsquo;s visit aimed to &lsquo;clarify&rsquo; Israel&rsquo;s strategy regarding Gaza, the ongoing hostage situation, and humanitarian plans amid lingering tensions caused by the unauthorized airstrike in Qatar. Ongoing attacks in Gaza and the West BankMeanwhile, Gaza continues to endure heavy bombardment. Recent Israeli airstrikes have destroyed multiple high-rise buildings, forcing evacuations of civilians with often little notice. Palestinian health officials report that over 64,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict escalated, including over 18,000 children. Several international media outlets have also reported an uptick in attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, warned against annexation plans in the West Bank. It described such moves as a &ldquo;red line&rdquo; threatening hopes for peace. While the Arab-Islamic summit is expected to adopt a joint resolution condemning Israel&rsquo;s strike, it currently does not include sanctions or punitive measure.

Arab-Islamic Summit: Pakistan calls for joint task force, Iran urges ‘operations rooms’ against Israel, image courtesy: OIC

Asia

Arab-Islamic Summit: Iran, Pakistan propose concrete measures against Israel 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received a phone call from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Pakistani Foreign Office said Saturday, signaling ongoing progress in relations between Islamabad and Washington. &ldquo;The two officials expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral ties, reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation, and discussed various regional and international matters,&rdquo; the statement added. However, the foreign office did not provide specific details about the conversation.&nbsp;This call follows a period of warming relations between the two countries, a notable shift after years of diplomatic distancing. On September 9, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke to Secretary Rubio, during which they exchanged views on bilateral matters and ongoing regional issues.&nbsp;The improving relationship comes in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump&rsquo;s intervention earlier this year, when he brokered a ceasefire between Pakistan and India after a brief but intense four-day military conflict along their shared border in May. The clash resulted in over 70 casualties on both sides and heightened tensions in the region.&nbsp;In June 2025, Pakistan&rsquo;s army chief was invited to an unprecedented lunch at the White House hosted by President Trump, where they discussed the Iran-Israel conflict and other regional security concerns. This event marked a high-level engagement between the U.S. and Pakistan military leadership, further emphasizing the thaw in relations.&nbsp;Trade relations have also been a key component of the renewed partnership. Just last week, Pakistan announced the finalization of a &ldquo;landmark&rdquo; trade deal with the U.S. aimed at reducing tariffs and deepening economic ties between the two nations. Concurrently, President Trump unveiled a new partnership to develop Pakistan&rsquo;s oil reserves, signaling increased U.S. investment and cooperation in the South Asian country&rsquo;s energy sector.&nbsp;In their recent conversation, Rubio and Dar covered a range of bilateral matters and regional challenges, with both sides agreeing to maintain ongoing dialogue and cooperation on shared interests. Analysts view these exchanges as part of a broader diplomatic reset after years of estrangement, particularly following the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021, which led to a decline in high-level communications.&nbsp;For Pakistan, the U.S. remains a critical economic partner. Official data shows that Pakistan&rsquo;s exports to the U.S. reached $5.44 billion in the fiscal year 2023-2024, with a 10 percent increase recorded from July 2024 to February 2025 compared to the previous year. These figures highlight the importance of the U.S. market for Pakistan&rsquo;s export-driven economic growth.&nbsp;Facing a prolonged macroeconomic crisis, Pakistan has prioritized enhancing trade and foreign investment to stabilize its economy. While inflation rates have eased in recent years, the government is focused on achieving sustained growth through exports and comprehensive financial reforms.&nbsp;The ongoing dialogue between Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Dar reflects both countries&rsquo; commitment to building a more cooperative relationship grounded in economic partnership, security cooperation, and regional stability. As the two nations continue to strengthen ties, observers will be watching closely for further developments in trade agreements and diplomatic engagements.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discuss strengthening bilateral relations, trade cooperation, and regional security amid improving ties.

Articles tagged with "Ishaq Dar"