Tag: Foreign Minister

  • ‘IMF wanted Pakistan to default last year,’ claims Ishaq Dar

    ‘IMF wanted Pakistan to default last year,’ claims Ishaq Dar

    Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has claimed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) wanted Pakistan to default during the tenure of last year’s sixteen-month government led by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

    In a Defence Day ceremony, Dar said, “The IMF was not reviewing Pakistan’s loan request, despite fulfilling the technical review demands.”

    He mentioned that the IMF had delayed the loan for eight months when Pakistan was in economic turmoil despite having three billion commitments from friendly countries.

    “Pakistan could lead the fifty-seven Islamic countries by achieving economic power, and whenever the country was quite close to achieving that goal, the government’s legs were pulled from underneath it,” Dar claims.

    He urged politicians to be rational about Pakistan’s economic potential, pointing out the country’s nuclear power status.

    The Deputy Prime Minister stood by his unusual statement at Geo News last year, asserting, “Pakistan can avoid default without the IMF.”

  • Shah Mahmood Qureshi transferred to Kot Lakhpat jail

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi transferred to Kot Lakhpat jail

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was relocated from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore, as reported by ARY News.

    The former foreign minister will appear before the anti-terrorism court at the Lahore prison.

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi is currently in jail in connection with the May 9 cases, and the police have interrogated the incarcerated former foreign minister.

    Earlier, the court remanded him into judicial custody for his alleged involvement in the May 9 riots.

  • Bilawal Bhutto Zardari likely to become foreign minister once again

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari likely to become foreign minister once again

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is likely to become foreign minister once again as his party inches closer to a power sharing deal with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Express Tribune reported on Sunday.

    Insiders within both parties believe that Bilawal will join Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet as foreign minister. The sources of The Express Tribune claimed that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who had not agreed to become part of Shehbaz’s cabinet, is now ready to play the role of foreign minister.

    Both parties are figuring out the details of when PPP will officially become part of the federal cabinet.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wanted the PPP to be part of the federal cabinet before the presentation of the budget in the first week of June.

    It is still not clear whether PPP will join the federal cabinet before or after the budget.

    However, sources told Express Tribune confidently that the PPP will be part of the federal cabinet soon.

  • PM includes Dar in CCI instead of Aurangzeb

    PM includes Dar in CCI instead of Aurangzeb

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reconstituted the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Friday, notably replacing Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

    The PM is heading the CCI which constitutes the chief ministers of all four provinces. Interestingly, this is the first time in the history of the council that a Foreign Minister of Pakistan has been included in the CCI.

    Business Recorder article reported that it would be normal if a Finance Minister isn’t included in the CCI because historically it has happened. However, energy and planning ministers were mostly included because they deal with provincial matters.

    The presence of the Finance Minister and the Law Minister in the CCI is very important as these two portfolios are required to respond to numerous queries raised by the provinces during the meeting.

    A similar pattern could be observed as PM Shehbaz gave Ishaq Dar the control of Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) as well instead of including Aurangzeb earlier this month.

  • Pakistan to review trade ties with India, says FM Dar

    Pakistan to review trade ties with India, says FM Dar

    Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has stated that Pakistan will think about re-establishing trade relations with India, suspended since August 2019, when the Narendra Modi-led government ended the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

    “Pakistani businessmen want trade with India to resume,” the foreign minister said while addressing the media at the Pakistan High Commission in London at the end of his visit to the UK and Europe on Saturday.

    In August 2019, the Modi-led government unilaterally changed the special status of the occupied valley, causing Pakistan to downgrade its ties with India.

    In February 2021, despite the strained relationship between the two neighbours, Pakistan and India both agreed to renew the 2003 ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistan has connected its choice to improve relations with India to the reinstatement of the special status of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

    Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on becoming of prime minister of Pakistan.

    “Congratulations to [Shehbaz Sharif] on being sworn in as the prime minister of Pakistan,” Modi wrote in a brief message on X, formerly Twitter.

  • Tributes pour in after senior politician Sartaj Aziz’s death

    Tributes pour in after senior politician Sartaj Aziz’s death

    Senior politician, diplomat, and former finance minister Sartaj Aziz passed away at the age of 94 in Islamabad on Tuesday night.

    Born in February 1929 in Nowshera, Aziz was a veteran politician from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). He served in key governmental posts in his long political career, including as the minister for finance and economic affairs. He also remained a senator from 1985 to 1999 and was elected as an advisor on national security and foreign affairs in the 2013 general elections.

    Aziz’s vast political career spanned academia, civil service, and public office holding.

    Besides serving as the federal minister, Aziz also fulfilled responsibilities as assistant president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Commodities and Trade Division.

    The two-time finance minister was considered a respected figure in the national discourse, bearing keen insights and analysis on economic and political issues.

    PML-N announced the death of the senior politician on X (formerly Twitter). “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Mr. Sartaj Aziz. A stalwart, a true icon, and a towering figure! His contributions to the nation and towards the party will never be forgotten.”

    Other politicians and his colleagues started posting pictures of him and recalled the time, they served with him. Ahsan Iqbal said he had the “honour of working with him very closely and will never forget his affection and guidance”.

    Shehbaz Sharif termed it as “not just a personal loss but a loss for the nation.”

    Miftah Ismail said, “Sartaj Aziz’s passing is surely the end of an era.”

    Engineer Khurram Dastgir called it a profound loss to the nation.

    Reacting to the demise of a veteran politician, President Arif Alvi expressed deep grief and solidarity with the survivors of the deceased. He also prayed for Aziz’s forgiveness and patience for his family.

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar also expressed sorrow and said that his contributions to the country will always be remembered.

    Career diplomat Maleeha Lodhi paid tribute to him by saying, “Pakistan will be poorer without him.”

    Fellow Academic Adil Najam lauded him by saying, “Thank you, Sartaj sb, for a life well lived; a life of unwavering commitment to Pakistan.”

    Senior journalist, Nasim Zehra showed her respect towards Sartaj by praising him for his “commitment to the very best for Pakistan as Foreign and Finance Minister.”

    Fellow diplomat, Kristof Duwaerts tweeted, “I had the pleasure of interacting with H.E. late Sartaj Aziz on a number of occasions during my time in Pakistan.”

    Indian journalist Aditya Raj Kaul, praised him for being a gentleman and a great diplomat.

    Social worker and activist Khaleel Tetaly lauded Sartaj Aziz as a key advocate for community-led development in Pakistan.

    Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad extended condolences on the passing of Sartaj Aziz for serving Pakistan with his exceptional talent in various capacities for over seven decades.

    Beaconhouse National University paid tribute to their esteemed founding Vice Chancellor and cherished mentor.

  • Bilawal Bhutto attends unveiling of Benazir Bhutto’s statue at Madame Tussauds in Dubai

    Bilawal Bhutto attends unveiling of Benazir Bhutto’s statue at Madame Tussauds in Dubai

    Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended the Commemoration Ceremony at which a wax figure of his mother, the Muslim world’s first female Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, was unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Dubai.

    In a tweet on Sunday, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman said that, “With immense pride and humility, I attended the unveiling of the statue of the first Pakistani personality to be commemorated at Madame Tussauds today in Dubai – the inimitable, the indomitable, the irreplaceable, my mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.”

    He hoped that  statue will serve to inspire generations to come and remind us of the enduring resonance of the values of his mother lived and fought for – democracy, justice, human rights, rule of law, compassion, and freedom.

    He further expressed gratitude to the Madame Tussauds Dubai on behave of the Bhutto Family for the gesture, he said, “My family and I, and indeed, all Pakistanis are profoundly grateful to Madame Tussauds Dubai for honouring Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s memory and legacy.”

    The late Benazir Bhutto was the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Muslim world. She became the head of the country at the age of 35, after a prolonged fight against the dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq, who had hanged her father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

    Benazir Bhutto was killed in a terrorist attack in Rawalpindi after giving a speech at an election rally in December 2007. Just two months earlier, she had survived a terrorist attack on her convoy after her triumphant return to Pakistan.

  • Bilawal visits Tokyo, says Pakistan needs ‘trade, not aid’

    Bilawal visits Tokyo, says Pakistan needs ‘trade, not aid’

    Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, on his maiden visit to Japan, has declared his intention to boost trade and promote diplomatic ties between the two countries on Sunday. He stated that Pakistan needed trade and not aid.

    Giving an address at an event organised by the Pakistani diaspora living in Tokyo, Bilawal maintained that the two countries have agreed to further deepen and enhance their mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in multiple areas. These include trade, investment, human resource development and exchange, IT, tourism and agriculture sectors.

    “We have also jointly agreed to explore the possibility of working together on targeted programs with higher impact in the domains of solarisation, desalination, and water purification and housing and infrastructure rebuilding in the floods affected areas in Pakistan,” Bilawal said in a joint press stakeout along with his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi, as reported by The News.

    Empowering our workforce

    In addition, the two sides have agreed to conduct language skill assessment tests for the Japanese language in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of skilled workers. The Nation reported that Bilawal underscored the importance of Pakistanis living abroad, stating: “The overseas Paki­stanis are our assets, who are play­ing vital role to promote bilateral ties between Pakistan and Japan. Our population consists of 65 per­cent youth and we want Pakistani youth to get employment in Japan.”

    Potential for growth

    The Foreign Minister met with repre­sentatives of the Japan Interna­tional Development Agency (JICA) and the Japan External Trade Orga­nization (JETRO) to discuss poten­tial for trade and investment. He also stated that Pakistan’s incumbent government was working on economic diplomacy in order to bring prosperity to the country.

    Bilawal also went on to praise Japan’s advancement in IT and other fields, saying Pakistan could learn from them. Both sides have seen a new vigour in their relationship through continued high-level exchanges.

  • Here is what Bilawal Bhutto said in his address at SCO Foreign Ministers meeting in India

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Minis­ters (CFM) in India, Goa on Friday.

    During his address, the young minister who is leading Pakistan’s delegation, talked about climate change, importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, poverty alleviation and Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism among other things.

    Bhutto started his address by reiterating Pakistan’s strong commitment to SCO saying,“There couldn’t be a more powerful indication of the importance that Pakistan attaches to the SCO than my presence here in Goa for this CFM”.

    Bilawal also talked about eradicating the menace of terrorism. “Let’s not get caught up in weaponising terrorism for diplomatic point scoring.”

    Bilawal reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism for maintaining international peace and harmony.

    “A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is a key not only to regional integration and economic cooperation but also to global peace and stability,” said Bilawal while talking about the importance of peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

  • Iran’s President Raisi ‘welcomes’ invitation by Saudi king to visit Riyadh

    Iran’s President Raisi ‘welcomes’ invitation by Saudi king to visit Riyadh

    Little over a week after the two nations decided to reestablish diplomatic ties, Iran claims Saudi Arabia has extended an official invitation to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to pay a state visit.

    The Saudis have not officially confirmed the invitation, which is claimed to have arrived in a letter from King Salman.

    The conflict between the two countries has dominated the Middle East’s recent history.

    A senior Iranian official, Mohammad Jamshidi, tweeted regarding the invitation to visit Riyadh, saying Mr Raisi had welcomed it and “stressed Iran’s readiness to expand co-operation.”

    Furthermore, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the foreign minister of Iran, informed reporters that the two nations had agreed to conduct a meeting at the level of the foreign ministers and that three potential venues had been suggested.

    He did not specify the locations or the potential dates for the meeting.

    According to Bloomberg, the recent thaw in bilateral relations, which came as a surprise after days of negotiations mediated by China, appears to be gaining significant pace.

    Both have declared they will reopen their embassies and resume their economic and security relations within two months.

    With the failure of earlier attempts at reconciliation, many, including the US and the UN, warily welcomed this progress.

    In January 2016 after protesters surrounded its embassy in Tehran, Saudi Arabia broke ties.

    That came after Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a well-known Shia Muslim cleric who had been found guilty of crimes related to terrorism, was executed by Riyadh.

    Since then, there have frequently been high levels of tension between the Sunni- and Shia-led neighbours, with each seeing the other as a dangerous force vying for supremacy in the region.

    They have taken opposing sides in a number of local conflicts, including as the civil wars in Yemen and Syria.

    Mr. Amir-Abdollahian said that Iran hoped measures would be taken to strengthen ties with Bahrain, a close Saudi ally that cut off diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2016 after Riyadh did the same.

    “We hope that some obstacles between Iran and Bahrain will be removed and we will take basic steps to reopen the embassies,” he said.

    Bahrain hasn’t reacted to the remarks, but it did earlier applaud the Saudi Arabia-Iran decision to reestablish diplomatic ties.

    Moreover, Iran has shown a desire to restart or strengthen ties with other adversaries in the Arab world, such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.