Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday declared that Pakistan has emerged as a recognised 'peacemaker' and 'middle power' on the global stage, attributing this shift to the country's recent mediation efforts between the United States and Iran. Speaking to the media at Data Darbar in Lahore, Dar said Pakistan's role in facilitating dialogue between rival nations had fundamentally transformed international perceptions of the country.
Pakistan's Mediation in US-Iran Tensions
Dar highlighted that Pakistan helped bring together two countries that had not held direct talks in decades. 'Pakistan's role was to facilitate honestly and impartially,' he stated. He noted that extensive behind-the-scenes diplomacy had been conducted by the prime minister, military leadership, and diplomats, but much of it remained unpublicised because 'a facilitator cannot become a party to the dispute'.
He reiterated Pakistan's position on the Iran conflict, saying Islamabad was among the first to condemn attacks on a 'brotherly Islamic country' while simultaneously encouraging restraint and dialogue to prevent further bloodshed. 'People now respect the Pakistani passport,' Dar said. 'Pakistan's image in the world is very different today.'
Diplomatic Achievements and Credit
Dar credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, and the foreign office for what he described as intensive diplomatic efforts. 'The team captain is PM Shehbaz,' he said. 'Alongside him, Field Marshal Asim Munir and the foreign office worked tirelessly, day and night.'
He remarked that a country once portrayed only through the lens of terrorism is now acknowledged as a net security provider and middle power. 'Countries that barely knew about Pakistan are now talking about it,' he added, contrasting past claims of diplomatic isolation with current global headlines.
Economic Aspirations and Domestic Progress
Turning to domestic affairs, Dar said, 'Allah enabled Pakistan to become a nuclear power, and later a missile power. What remains now is for us to become an economic power.' He credited former prime minister Nawaz Sharif with overseeing the 1998 nuclear tests and missile programme development, while praising PM Shehbaz's efforts to stabilise the economy.
Dar noted that Pakistan ranked among the world's top 24 economies in 2017 before slipping, but argued that economic indicators are now moving positively. 'The country's image has improved, stability has returned, and Pakistan is moving towards growth and development,' he said.
Data Darbar Ghusl Mubarak and Shrine Expansion
The deputy prime minister also congratulated devotees on the 983rd Ghusl Mubarak of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) and praised the ongoing expansion of the Data Darbar complex. He described the project as the shrine's largest expansion to date and credited Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Auqaf department, and their teams for the work.
Drawing a link between religious site investments and national prosperity, Dar said such projects bring blessings. 'When you come here, pray especially for Pakistan,' he urged. 'Pray that Allah makes Pakistan an economic power just as He has made it a nuclear and missile power.'
