Pakistan is seeking to build on what Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described as improved economic stability and growing diplomatic influence, with the country now aspiring to move from the world’s 24th-largest economy towards membership of the Group of 20 (G20).
Dar said the government’s efforts had helped achieve economic stability and created a foundation for Pakistan to pursue a larger role in the global economy.
He said the country should now focus on strengthening economic performance and international partnerships as it seeks recognition as a major emerging economy.
The G20 brings together the world’s major economies and plays an important role in discussions on global economic governance.
Dar also mentioned what he described as a significant improvement in Pakistan’s international standing.
He recalled that Pakistan had been portrayed as diplomatically isolated in 2021, but said the country had since strengthened its engagement with the international community.
He pointed to Pakistan’s election to the United Nations Security Council with 182 votes as evidence of its growing diplomatic support.
Pakistan has also become increasingly involved in international efforts concerning the Gaza conflict, including engagement with US President Donald Trump.
Dar said Pakistan had also helped bring the United States and Iran to the negotiating table after 47 years. Islamabad, he said, was working towards an agreement under the proposed Islamabad Memorandum.
“Wars do not resolve problems,” Dar said, stressing Pakistan’s preference for dialogue and peaceful solutions to international disputes.
He said Pakistan was increasingly being viewed not as a country associated with terrorism but as a peacemaker and a “net security provider” in the region.
Dar further discussed Pakistan’s growing defence cooperation with regional countries. He said Pakistan had signed a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia last year, while Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan subsequently agreed to pursue a broader arrangement referred to by him as the Makkah Agreement.
He stressed that the proposed alliance was defensive in nature and was not directed against any particular country. Egypt, he added, was also involved in the initiative.
More Muslim Countries Show Interest
Dar said six to seven other Muslim countries had expressed interest in joining the proposed defence arrangement. The participating countries are currently working on its structure and framework, after which an inaugural meeting is expected to take place.
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He said Pakistan would be represented at the inaugural meeting by himself, the defence minister and the field marshal.
Dar said the broader objective was to strengthen regional cooperation while maintaining a policy centred on engagement rather than confrontation.
