ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday departed Islamabad for New York, where he will accompany Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Foreign Office said.
Dar is scheduled to remain in New York from September 21 to 25 and has an “extensive and wide-ranging programme” of diplomatic engagements during the high-level week.
🔊PR No.2️⃣4️⃣9️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Curtain Raiser: Visit of the Deputy Prime Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 to New York to Attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, 21-25 September 2026
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 20, 2026
According to the Foreign Office, the foreign minister will participate in a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, where he will reiterate Pakistan’s support for the right to self-determination of Kashmiris.
He will also attend several OIC ministerial-level meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA, including the OIC Foreign Ministers’ Annual Coordination Meeting and other meetings of OIC contact groups.
Focus on Palestine
Dar is also scheduled to participate in a series of high-level meetings on Palestine, reflecting Pakistan’s stated support for the Palestinian cause. These engagements will include a meeting of the Group of Eight Arab and Islamic countries and a high-level ministerial meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, among other meetings.
The foreign minister will also address a high-level briefing of the UN Security Council on artificial intelligence, according to the Foreign Office.
Other multilateral engagements
Dar will additionally participate in a high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. He is also scheduled to chair a meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Council of Ministers.
During his stay in New York, the deputy prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts from several countries. He will also accompany Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at high-level bilateral meetings and other engagements on the sidelines of the UNGA.
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The Foreign Office said Dar would use his engagements to highlight Pakistan’s efforts for regional and international peace and stability and exchange views with foreign counterparts on key regional and international challenges.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is leading Pakistan’s delegation to the high-level segment of the 81st UN General Assembly. According to the Foreign Office, his address will cover Pakistan’s perspectives on regional and global developments, including sustainable development, climate change, counter-terrorism, Islamophobia, global economic challenges, UN reform and issues confronting the Global South.
The UN General Assembly’s high-level week brings together world leaders, foreign ministers and senior officials for discussions on major international and global issues.
