ANTALYA : Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has stated that South Asia, particularly Pakistan, possesses immense untapped economic potential, lamenting that the region’s combined GDP stands at just $4 trillion despite housing a population of two billion.
Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Dar highlighted how the US-Iran conflict has adversely affected the economy and trade of the region. He noted that both Tehran and Washington have been attempting to resolve their differences from day one, but the lack of a formal trade system continues to hinder inter-country commerce in South Asia.
“We will have to work hard to increase trade and communication between South Asian countries,” Dar asserted, emphasizing that Pakistan is an ideal country for transit shipments in the region.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed pride in Pakistan’s role as a mediator between Iran and the United States after 47 years. He welcomed the opening of the Strait of Hormuz following a ceasefire in Lebanon, adding that only a few points remain to be agreed upon in the ongoing US-Iran talks.
