Islamabad, February 21, 2025: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar has reiterated Pakistan’s call for granting the people of Jammu and Kashmir their right to self-determination, in line with decades-old United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
In an interview with TRT World, Dar criticized India’s 2019 unilateral actions in Kashmir and condemned demographic changes through settler policies, calling them violations of the UN Charter. He also emphasized the importance of respecting the right to self-determination for both Kashmiris and Palestinians.
Highlighting Pakistan’s close ties with Turkiye, Dar noted that both nations continue to collaborate on trade, defense, and security. The recent 7th High-Level Strategic Council meeting, co-chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, resulted in the signing of multiple agreements. The two countries will also jointly build naval ships as part of their defense cooperation.
Dar stated that Pakistan and Turkiye aim to increase bilateral trade from $1 billion to $5 billion over the next five years.
Addressing his recent participation in a UNSC meeting, Dar stressed the need for reforms, citing the failure of global institutions to implement resolutions on Kashmir and Palestine. He also voiced Pakistan’s readiness to support UN reforms to enhance global peace, security, and development.
Regarding Gaza, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians and announced that the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers will convene an extraordinary meeting in Jeddah on March 7. Pakistan has called for a permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid, and the reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure. He reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing support for Palestinian statehood with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Sharif as its capital.
On regional security, Dar warned that Pakistan would retaliate against any attack from neighboring countries, as it had done twice before. He urged Afghan authorities to prevent terrorist activities from their soil, stressing Pakistan’s goodwill towards Afghanistan while demanding security assurances.
Dar also addressed the Afghan refugee crisis, stating that unless host countries relocate Afghan refugees by September, Pakistan may be compelled to repatriate them. He highlighted Pakistan’s $150 billion loss in the war against terrorism and the economic burden of hosting over three million Afghan refugees.
Pakistan continues to raise its voice against Islamophobia, Dar said, commending the OIC Secretary-General’s appointment of a permanent representative for the issue. A special session on Islamophobia will be observed at the UN General Assembly on March 15.
Concluding his remarks, Dar underscored the need for mutual respect among sovereign nations and reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance on defending its territorial integrity.
