According to him, the country, once described only in terms of terrorism, is now recognized as a “middle power”.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar speaking to the media after the 983rd annual Ghusl Mubarak ceremony at Data Darbar. SCREENSHOT
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Thursday that Pakistan has become a recognized “peacemaker” and “middle power” on the global stage, crediting the country’s recent mediating role in the US-Iran war for improving the country’s international standing.
Speaking to media at Data Darbar, FM Dar said Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between rival countries had transformed the perception of the country abroad.
“Today, Pakistan is recognized throughout the world as a peace-making country,” he said. “A country that was once described solely in terms of terrorism is now recognized as a middle power and internet security provider.”
FM Dar said that people used to say that Pakistan was diplomatically isolated, but now Pakistan is making headlines around the world: “Countries that barely knew about Pakistan are now talking about it.”
He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Force Field Marshal Asim Munir and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for what he described as intensive diplomatic efforts.
“The captain of the team is Prime Minister Shehbaz,” said FM Dar. “Alongside him, Field Marshal Asim Munir and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked tirelessly, day and night.”
Referring to Pakistan’s mediation efforts, FM Dar said while Islamabad had helped bring together two countries that had not held direct talks for decades, “Pakistan’s role was to facilitate honestly and impartially”.
He said extensive behind-the-scenes diplomacy had been carried out by the prime minister, military leaders and diplomats, but much of it had not been made public because “a facilitator cannot become a party to the conflict.”
FM Dar also reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the conflict involving Iran, saying Islamabad was among the first countries to condemn attacks on a “brotherly Islamic country”, adding that Islamabad had simultaneously encouraged restraint and dialogue to avoid further bloodshed.
“People now respect the Pakistani passport,” he said. “The image of Pakistan in the world today is very different.”
Addressing internal affairs, FM Dar said: “Allah allowed Pakistan to become a nuclear power and then a missile power. All we have to do is become an economic power,” he said.
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He credited former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with overseeing both the country’s nuclear tests in 1998 and the development of its missile program, while praising Prime Minister Shehbaz’s efforts to stabilize the economy.
FM Dar said Pakistan ranked among the top 24 global economies in 2017 before slipping back in subsequent years, but argued that economic indicators were once again moving in a positive direction.
“The image of the country has improved, stability has returned and Pakistan is moving towards growth and development,” he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister also congratulated devotees on the 983rd Ghusl Mubarak of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) and welcomed the ongoing expansion of Data Darbar Complex.
He described the current project as the biggest extension of the shrine so far and thanked Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Auqaf department and their teams for the work.
Linking the expansion of religious sites to national prosperity, FM Dar said investment in places of worship brought blessings and expressed confidence that Pakistan would continue to progress.
“When you come here, pray especially for Pakistan,” he said. “Pray that Allah makes Pakistan an economic power just as He made it a nuclear and missile power.”
