Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on the international community and members of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to back peaceful solutions to major regional conflicts. He stressed that the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute and India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty remain central to instability in South Asia.
Speaking at the 33rd ARF Ministerial Meeting on Thursday, Dar identified eight critical challenges threatening global and regional security. These included South Asian stability, the Gulf situation, the crisis in Gaza, counter-terrorism efforts, Afghanistan, the conflict in Ukraine, tensions in the South China Sea, and climate change.
He warned that the failure to settle longstanding disputes, especially the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan, exacerbates regional instability. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to pursuing a just and peaceful resolution aligned with the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions, and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Expressing serious concern over India’s unilateral move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, he cautioned that weaponizing water resources breaches international obligations and threatens the livelihoods of 250 million Pakistanis. He urged the forum to reject such provocative actions and work collectively to uphold peace and stability.
Turning to the Gulf region, Dar noted that recent developments there have global ramifications. He highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic role in promoting peace and de-escalation, pointing to Islamabad’s efforts in facilitating a ceasefire and hosting leadership talks that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. He thanked the United States, Iran, Gulf countries, and other partners for their trust, calling on all parties to honor commitments, exercise restraint, and support dialogue to stabilize the region, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and resume international shipping without conditions.
Addressing the humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories, Dar condemned the atrocities in Gaza and reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for an independent, sovereign, and contiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
On counter-terrorism, he underscored Pakistan’s heavy sacrifices—over 90,000 lives lost and economic costs exceeding $150 billion. He urged the Afghan Taliban to prevent their territory from being used by terrorist groups such as the TTP (Fitna Al-Khawarij) and affiliated factions against neighboring countries. Dar emphasized that fulfilling these commitments would unlock significant trade and connectivity opportunities across South and Central Asia.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s position on other global issues, Dar supported diplomatic solutions for the conflicts in Ukraine and the South China Sea while reiterating Pakistan’s adherence to the One-China policy. He also highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change despite contributing less than 1% to global emissions, calling for international cooperation grounded in common but differentiated responsibilities.
The deputy prime minister welcomed the adoption of the Manila Plan of Action 2026 and praised the Philippines as host. He reiterated Pakistan’s dedication to the core principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and the ASEAN Regional Forum’s consensus-driven approach. Dar affirmed Pakistan’s appreciation for ASEAN’s method of consensus and its support for enhanced cooperation to tackle both traditional and emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, climate change, food and energy security, disaster resilience, and public health preparedness.
He concluded by stressing the need for the ARF to continue fostering dialogue, practical cooperation, and capacity building to effectively address evolving regional and global security challenges.
