Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar said Pakistan is seeing a rise in its global standing after emerging from a period of isolation and is now witnessing economic revival.
Speaking to the Pakistani community at the consulate in New York on Saturday, he pointed to progress in political and economic areas over the last three years, despite challenges.
Dar said inflation had dropped from 40 percent to 2.4 percent by January 2025, crediting the decline to government policies and diplomatic outreach. He said Pakistan had completed the IMF programme, restored investor confidence, and that international credit rating agencies had acknowledged the country’s economic progress.
The government, he said, aims for Pakistan to join the ranks of G-20 economies.
He mentioned recent high-level meetings with officials from China, the United States, and other countries, which focused on economic and strategic partnerships. He also discussed the Special Investment Facilitation Council, which works to simplify investment procedures across key sectors.
Dar said his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington was held in a cordial atmosphere and included discussion on global and regional issues. He expressed hope that ties between the U.S. and Pakistan would grow stronger.
He also said the government is working on restarting Pakistan International Airlines flights to New York after restoring routes to Europe and the United Kingdom.
Dar was joined at the event by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, and Consul General Aamir Ahmed Atozai.
He said Pakistan now enjoys the support of many countries, as shown by its presidency of the United Nations Security Council with backing from 182 nations. He highlighted the unanimous adoption of a resolution sponsored by Pakistan on the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Dar referred to Pakistan’s outreach to Afghanistan aimed at improving regional connectivity through trade and rail links to Central Asia. He said Pakistan expects that Afghan territory will not be used for terrorism and noted that assurances had been given by Afghan authorities.
He said Pakistan is continuing its efforts for the release of Aafia Siddiqui from a U.S. prison, citing ongoing steps taken in that regard.
Dar credited PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif for guiding the federal and Punjab governments and called him a capable statesman. He also praised Army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his leadership during a standoff with India.
Dar said the Pakistan Air Force shot down six Indian aircraft during the confrontation and received strong public support. He thanked the Pakistani-American community for its solidarity during that time and for its overall contributions to Pakistan and the United States.
Ambassador Sheikh said Pakistan’s image had improved following the armed forces’ role in defending the country and called for community investment in Pakistan’s economy, saying national defence depends on economic strength.
