Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Saturday that United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to Pakistan would support wider cooperation across different sectors.
In a media briefing in Islamabad, Dar said the UAE president's visit to Pakistan was welcome and positive. He said the visit strengthened cooperation between the two countries in several sectors. "Talks covered bilateral trade, investment, energy and development," Dar maintained.
The deputy prime minister said: "Meetings between the current leadership and the signing of economic and commercial agreements gave bilateral relations a new direction."
"Several trade and investment agreements were signed between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. By the grace of Allah Almighty, Pakistan’s foreign relations had improved considerably in recent times," he maintained.
Dar said that the UAE president had earlier promised to visit Pakistan in 2025. He added that after completing the official visit, the UAE president departed for Rahim Yar Khan for hunting.
He acknowledged the UAE’s assistance of $3 billion to Pakistan during a difficult period. He said that during yesterday’s meeting, the prime minister raised the issue of rolling over $2 billion due in January.
Dar added that Pakistan discussed converting this liability into investment and that contacts had also taken place on the matter.
The deputy prime minister said that the standing of Pakistan’s foreign policy had risen internationally and that the country had received broad recognition at the global level.
Dar said the Pakistan’s armed forces shot down seven Indian aircraft during the war and inflicted a decisive defeat on India.
The deputy prime minister said India had consistently made baseless allegations against Pakistan, adding that India also levelled false and unfounded accusations against Pakistan over the Pahalgam incident.
He said: "India must recognise that the Indus Waters Treaty is a reality."
Dar said that when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took the oath of office last year, Pakistan was facing diplomatic isolation. Dar said that during a four-day conflict in South Asia, Pakistan’s position improved at the global level.
He said that Allah Almighty granted Pakistan wide recognition on the diplomatic front. Dar said that India made a grave mistake by attacking Nur Khan Air Base. He said that on the night of May 9, important decisions were taken in a meeting chaired by the prime minister. He added that the following morning, India made another major mistake and carried out another attack.
Dar said the world confirmed that no Pakistani F-16 aircraft crossed into India or was destroyed. He added that Pakistan decided to speak the truth, which was verified by all countries.
He added that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio requested a ceasefire during a phone call.
“We made Pakistan a military and missile power; now we will make it an economic power. Several countries, including Saudi Arabia and China, have shown interest in Reko Diq," the deputy prime minister said.
Dar said that lasting peace in the region was impossible until the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was resolved.
He said that after the Pakistan–India confrontation and Pakistan’s victory, the Kashmir issue had been reactivated.
Dar said the world had stopped talking about the Kashmir issue, adding that the world had now resumed discussion on the Kashmir issue.
He added that the United Nations Security Council had highlighted the Kashmir issue.
Dar said relations with the United States had seen many ups and downs in the past, adding that the ties with the United States had greatly improved after the new US administration took office.
He maintained that the United States played an active role in Pakistan’s success in May and in the ceasefire.
Dar said Pakistan greatly appreciated the proactive role of the United States regarding the ceasefire.
He said US President Trump had been the strongest advocate for Pakistan and its position, adding that this was why Pakistan nominated President Trump for the Nobel Prize.
The deputy prime minister said detailed discussions on Gaza and Iran took place with Secretary Rubio in July.
Dar said trade between Pakistan and the United States had reached 13.6 billion dollars, adding that Pakistan enjoyed a trade surplus in this exchange.
The deputy prime minister said the United States had designated the Majeed Brigade as a terrorist organisation, adding that the United States had set tariffs for Pakistan at 19 per cent, the lowest in South Asia.
Dar said negotiations with the European Union had remained suspended for four years and had now been reactivated.
He said an important strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the European Union took place in Brussels.
Dar said discussions covered migration, climate change and several other sectors.
He said he met the Nato secretary general at the Nato headquarters.
Dar said Pakistan had placed its partnerships with the United States and the European Union on a constructive path.
The deputy prime minister said that before visiting Brussels, he attended the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in Russia.
