KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on Friday called for global cooperation against mounting regional and international challenges to ensure peace, justice, and climate action.
He made the remarks during his address at the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Kuala Lumpur.
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner and ARF member to ASEAN’s strategic goals of integration, sustainability, and peace.
“ARF is a critical platform at a time when global fragmentation threatens multilateralism,” Dar emphasised.
He welcomed the development of a post‑2025 Plan of Action and emphasised the urgent need to address evolving non‑traditional security threats—such as climate change, pandemics, cyber risks, maritime security, and disaster response.
He called for a renewed focus on preventive diplomacy and urged strict adherence to international law as the foundation for sustainable peace.
Kashmir dispute
Dar strongly underscored the need for a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, criticising India’s unilateral actions and aggression in the region. Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam incident, he said, “India blamed Pakistan without evidence and refused our offer of an impartial inquiry. Instead, it launched an unprovoked attack on May 7.”
He added that Pakistan’s response under Article 51 of the UN Charter targeted only military assets and demonstrated “restraint and responsibility.” Dar asserted that peace must be rooted in mutual respect and international law.
Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty
He also condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a violation of international norms with grave humanitarian consequences.
Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s extraordinary sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, citing the loss of over 80,000 lives and approximately $150 billion in economic damages. He underscored the country’s comprehensive counterterrorism strategy, designed to dismantle terror networks and spotlight cross-border threats.
Islamophobia
Dar cautioned against the misuse of counterterrorism rhetoric to stigmatise Muslim communities and propagate Islamophobia.
He also highlighted recent high-level diplomatic engagements and urged the Interim Afghan Government to ensure that Afghan territory is not used against Pakistan. “A peaceful, stable, and united Afghanistan is in our vital interest,” he emphasised.
Israeli ‘aggression’
He strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression in Palestinian territories, calling for immediate international action to halt atrocities and reaffirming Pakistan’s support for an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Dar welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, commending Iran’s restraint.
One China Policy
Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the “One China Policy” and urged that disputes in the Asia-Pacific — including those in the South China Sea — be resolved peacefully through diplomacy and mutual respect.
He also called for a negotiated settlement of the Ukraine conflict in accordance with the UN Charter.
Highlighting climate change as an existential threat, Dar noted that Pakistan is taking strong mitigation and adaptation measures despite its limited resources. He urged developed countries to fulfill their climate finance pledges, calling for “global solidarity to avert a climate catastrophe.”
