ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has urged the removal of artificial barriers hindering the progress of SAARC, advocating for its revival and effective functioning.
Speaking at the Islamabad Conclave 2025, themed “Reimagining South Asia: Security, Economy, Climate, Connectivity,” he reaffirmed his commitment to regional cooperation, emphasizing that SAARC remains Pakistan’s primary platform for fostering collaboration across South Asia.
Highlighting Pakistan’s vision for the region, he expressed the desire for a South Asia defined by connectivity rather than division, synchronized economic growth, peaceful resolution of disputes aligned with global legal frameworks, and a dignified approach to sustaining peace.
The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to collaborate with all willing partners to unlock the region’s vast potential.
He emphasized the importance of reimagining South Asia by charting pathways to address key challenges such as security concerns, economic vulnerabilities, and climate crises.
He warned that fragmented regional architecture and political discord cannot provide solutions to these pressing issues. National development and regional priorities, he stated, must not be held hostage to rigidity or inflexibility.
Touching on the May conflict, Ishaq Dar highlighted Pakistan’s decisiveness and capability in deterring aggression and reinforcing stability. However, he noted that enduring peace in South Asia demands more than strategic equilibrium. A fair and lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is essential, he added.
Addressing climate change, he underscored the necessity of regional collaboration in water resource management, climate adaptation measures, and resilient agricultural policies. Investments in renewable energy, climate-smart farming, and disaster preparedness are vital for sustainable development and building resilient communities across the region.
As a broader goal, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed Pakistan’s aspiration for a just, equitable, and inclusive world order. Rejecting bloc politics and zero-sum approaches, he underlined Pakistan’s consistent focus on cooperation over confrontation.
He affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism rooted in international law, the UN Charter, and reformed global institutions. Dialogue, diplomacy, peaceful conflict resolution, and international solidarity remain central to Pakistan’s approach on both regional and global stages, he concluded.
