The country has faced serious economic difficulties in recent years, but managed to avoid a default through coordinated efforts.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq speaking to the media in Lahore. PHOTO: SCREENSHOT
LAHORE:
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Sunday said Pakistan was recognized globally for its role in regional diplomatic efforts, recognizing the country’s leadership in actively promoting peace and stability.
Speaking to media in Lahore, he said there had been tense moments during the US-Iran negotiations, but Pakistani leaders had helped keep the process on track.
“Today, the world is talking about Pakistan,” he said, adding that the global perception of Pakistan has improved, noting: “Today, people proudly say that they are from Pakistan.”
Referring to recent diplomatic engagements, Sadiq said Pakistani leaders, including the Prime Minister, military leadership and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were working in close coordination. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Marshal played a key role, and DG ISI also contributed significantly,” he said.
He also said that Pakistan’s efforts were being recognized internationally. “I met leaders in Türkiye and they told me they were praying for Pakistan’s efforts,” he said.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran, and Tehran retaliated by striking Israel and other countries in the region harboring American assets.
The war has been suspended since April 8, when Pakistan negotiated a two-week ceasefire. Islamabad, as part of its diplomatic efforts, hosted direct Iran-US talks on April 11, the highest-level engagement between the two sides since 1979.
Although the negotiations ended without a deal, they did not fail and reports suggest a second round could take place in Islamabad next week.
He highlighted that Pakistan had early adopted a stance in favor of de-escalation during regional tensions and had always supported diplomatic solutions.
He further noted that Pakistan had faced severe economic difficulties in recent years but had managed to avoid a default through coordinated national efforts. “There were attempts to push Pakistan into bankruptcy, but our political and military leaders worked day and night to bring the country out of the crisis,” he said.
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Last month, the government increased oil prices by 55 rupees per liter due to rising global prices amid regional conflict, while the prime minister temporarily absorbed the impact with a 129 billion rupees subsidy.
On April 2, fuel prices rose sharply again, with petrol rising to Rs 458.4 per liter and high-speed diesel to Rs 520.35 per litre. Within 24 hours, the government reduced the tax on petroleum, bringing petrol down to Rs 378 per litre.
This follows another reduction when diesel was reduced by Rs 135 per liter and petrol by Rs 12 per liter after earlier sharp increases linked to global price fluctuations during the US-Iran conflict.
Prime Minister Shehbaz on Friday approved a further reduction in the price of high-speed diesel by Rs 32.12 per liter to bring the rate down to Rs 353.43 per litre.
Sadiq further said that Pakistan now has relations with several world powers. “We have friendly relations with Russia, China, the United States and Iran, but not with India,” he added.
Referring to recent regional developments, he said Pakistan’s military response had demonstrated its strength. “For the first time, the world is seeing Pakistan in a different light: Pakistan can solve problems,” he said. He lauded the development initiatives in Punjab and thanked the leadership for funding development in his constituency.
Sadiq further said that the country had gone through multiple crises, including economic pressures, floods and regional tensions, but had continued to move forward.
