NEW YORK/WASHINGTON: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said Pakistan is gaining global recognition for its active role in regional and international peace efforts, arguing that the country’s diplomacy is now being taken seriously on major global issues.
Speaking to the Pakistani-American community at an Eid dinner in New York, Dar said Islamabad was pursuing dialogue, de-escalation and stability “with confidence,” adding that Pakistan’s ability to defend itself had strengthened—not weakened—its credibility as a peacemaker.
His remarks come as Pakistan steps up diplomatic engagement over the US-Iran crisis. Dar arrived in Washington on Friday for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with regional tensions and bilateral ties high on the agenda.
Pakistan’s recent mediation push has also drawn attention from Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping praised Pakistan’s contribution to regional peace during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China, while both countries backed efforts aimed at reducing tensions and keeping key shipping routes secure.
Dar said Pakistan would continue to support peaceful solutions to disputes, whether in South Asia, the Middle East or at multilateral forums such as the United Nations. He also linked the country’s diplomatic posture to the government’s wider message that Pakistan wants stability at home and abroad.
Officials in Islamabad see the current moment as a chance to reposition Pakistan as a serious diplomatic player after years of economic pressure and security challenges. Still, the road ahead isn’t simple. Tensions involving Iran, the US and Israel remain delicate, and any breakthrough will depend on decisions made far beyond Islamabad.
For now, though, Dar’s message was clear: Pakistan wants to be seen not just as a country affected by regional crises, but as one helping shape the way out of them.
