Pakistan Rejects U.S. Pressure, Focuses on Regional Diplomacy
NEW YORK: Pakistan is not facing any external pressure from Washington and will not yield to any such attempts, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar asserted on Thursday.
Concluding his visit to the United States, Dar, who also serves as the Foreign Minister, emphasized that Pakistan’s relations with the U.S. remain stable.
Before departing for Pakistan, he informed reporters that he had no official engagements with representatives from the Trump administration during his visit.
OIC Meeting on Gaza Crisis
Dar announced that an urgent meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers is scheduled for March 7 in Jeddah. The session aims to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly in response to recent U.S. proposals concerning the relocation of Palestinians.
He stated that foreign ministers from key countries, including Iran, Egypt, Malaysia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, had collectively called for the meeting to formulate a unified stance on the matter.
Pakistan’s Concerns Over Cross-Border Terrorism
Regarding the increasing cross-border attacks by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Dar reaffirmed that Pakistan has consistently urged Afghanistan’s interim government to curb terrorist activities.
To reinforce these concerns, he disclosed plans to visit Kabul, aiming to remind Afghan leaders of their international responsibility to prevent militant groups from using Afghan soil to launch attacks on Pakistan.
He recalled that Pakistan had nearly eradicated terrorism by 2018 but attributed its resurgence to the previous PTI-led government’s decisions, which allowed a significant number of TTP fighters to return.
Commitment to Afghanistan’s Stability
Beyond security issues, Dar underscored Pakistan’s commitment to Afghanistan’s economic development. He stressed the importance of fostering economic stability in the region and reiterated Pakistan’s support for connectivity initiatives linking Central Asia and Pakistan through Afghanistan.
“We remain dedicated to Afghanistan’s progress, particularly through infrastructure and connectivity projects that can enhance regional cooperation,” he stated.
