Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has emerged as a central figure in Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, navigating a web of regional and international challenges with a blend of candor and pragmatism. In a series of press conferences and high-level meetings held in Islamabad and abroad over the past week, Dar laid out Pakistan’s positions on Afghanistan, the Gaza conflict, and critical bilateral relationships, all while trying to steer his country toward stability and global engagement.
At a press conference in Islamabad on November 29, 2025, Dar recapped his whirlwind diplomatic tour, which included stops in Moscow, Bahrain, and Brussels. According to GTV News, he didn’t just attend meetings—he made Pakistan’s voice heard at major forums, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Conference. There, he showcased Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms and underscored the nation’s priorities, saying, “No power in the world can defeat Pakistan.” It was a bold statement, but it reflected a wider push to position Pakistan as a resilient and indispensable regional actor.
Afghanistan, as ever, loomed large in Dar’s remarks. He stressed that peace in Afghanistan is essential for the stability of the entire region. “Pakistan believes in peace and stability,” he said, before adding that the country has made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. During his visit to Moscow, Dar held discussions focused on Afghanistan’s future and extended a formal invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Pakistan—a gesture signaling Islamabad’s desire to deepen ties with Moscow. He also floated the idea of using local currencies for mutual trade among SCO countries, a proposal aimed at reducing reliance on major international currencies and boosting regional economic cooperation.
But Dar’s diplomatic balancing act didn’t stop there. He was quick to clarify Pakistan’s stance on the Gaza conflict, which has gripped global attention following years of devastation and a new US-brokered peace initiative. Speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar announced that Pakistan was ready to contribute troops to the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza, a peacekeeping mission endorsed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as part of President Donald Trump’s plan to end the conflict. Thirteen UNSC members, including Pakistan, voted in favor of the resolution on November 22, 2025. The ISF, envisioned as a transitional authority for Gaza’s reconstruction, is to be composed mainly of troops from Muslim-majority countries.
However, Dar drew a clear line regarding the ISF’s mandate. “We are not ready for that. This is not our job, but of the Palestinian law enforcement agencies. Our job is peacekeeping, not peace enforcement,” he said, distancing Pakistan from any role in disarming the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. He added, “We are definitely ready to contribute to the force—the prime minister has in principle already announced after consultation with the field marshal that we will contribute—but this decision cannot be taken until it is decided what its [ISF] mandate and TOR (terms of reference) will be.” According to The Dawn, both Pakistan and Indonesia have expressed reservations about any ISF mandate that includes disarming Hamas, a point that has also been rejected by Hamas itself.
Behind the scenes, discussions within Pakistan’s government and military establishment about participating in the ISF are at an “advanced stage,” with an official announcement expected soon. Dar recounted that Indonesia had offered up to 20,000 troops for the mission, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signaled a positive inclination towards Pakistan’s involvement—provided the mission’s terms remain strictly peacekeeping.
The Gaza resolution, as detailed in the text, authorizes ISF participation and outlines a pathway for Palestinian self-determination and statehood, contingent on reforms by the Palestinian Authority and successful redevelopment of Gaza. Yet, Israel has already voiced firm opposition to this eventuality, highlighting the complexity of the peace process.
Turning back to regional affairs, Dar addressed the recent deterioration in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, marked by cross-border terror attacks and retaliatory tensions. He revealed that Pakistan was on the verge of launching kinetic action against Afghanistan in response to attacks by Afghan nationals, but refrained at the urgent request of Qatar. “The situation was possibly leading to that stage when this issue began. Qatar is a country whose foreign ministry was contacting me hourly at that time,” Dar explained. He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the army chief for accepting his stance and halting what he described as a “cleanup operation” that was about to commence. Despite mediation efforts by Qatar and Turkiye, negotiations yielded little progress, leaving mediators themselves frustrated.
Dar’s message to Kabul was unambiguous: dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward, and the Afghan Taliban regime must confront its internal divisions and take decisive action against terrorism. He warned that ongoing attacks—including the shooting of two US National Guards by an Afghan national and assaults on Chinese workers in Tajikistan traced back to Afghanistan—could provoke a united international response against terrorism. He urged regional players to act before such a scenario unfolded.
On the humanitarian front, Dar said he was working to restore the delivery of relief goods, food, and essential aid to Afghanistan “for the sake of the Afghan people,” pending final approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He also noted that Afghan refugees in Pakistan are being repatriated with dignity, a process that has drawn international attention and, at times, controversy.
Dar’s diplomatic agenda extended to Europe as well. He met with European Union officials as part of the fifth Biennial Review of the GSP+ scheme, a critical trade arrangement for Pakistan. “Nearly all of our matters have been satisfactorily handled; around six items are pending, of which it is hoped that three legislative actions will be completed in the ongoing Parliament and Senate sessions,” he told the press, expressing optimism that the review group would deliver a positive report on Pakistan’s progress.
Meanwhile, Dar addressed the thorny issue of UAE visas for Pakistanis, acknowledging that the matter had been raised repeatedly with Emirati authorities. He cited evidence presented by the UAE that Pakistanis were disproportionately involved in crime, which had led to visa refusals—even for officials and ministers. “We are not sleeping. This issue has been raised many times. They’ve also shown evidence that of the different nationalities involved in crime in the UAE, Pakistanis are at the top, unfortunately,” he admitted. He pointed to organized begging rackets involving Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia as another problem that needed urgent attention, warning that these issues must be tackled head-on to resolve the visa impasse.
In a positive development, Dar announced that Hungary would offer 400 scholarships to Pakistani students in 2026, underscoring Pakistan’s efforts to secure educational opportunities abroad for its youth.
As Pakistan maneuvers through a maze of diplomatic challenges—from Afghanistan’s instability to Gaza’s fragile peace and Europe’s trade demands—Dar’s approach blends realism with a clear-eyed assertion of national interests. Whether these efforts will yield lasting results remains to be seen, but for now, Pakistan’s foreign policy stands at a crossroads, shaped by both opportunity and uncertainty.
