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Foreign ministers

Pakistan's Diplomatic Efforts: Strengthening Relations and Promoting Peace

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to strengthen Pakistan's relations with key nations, including Bangladesh and the UAE. His meetings with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hossain Khan, and the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have focused on cooperation in trade, tourism, and cultural exchange, as well as promoting peace and stability in the region. The Pakistani government has also expressed strong support for Iran amid escalating tensions with Israel, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemning Israeli airstrikes as violations of international law and sovereignty.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Ishaq Dar held a meeting with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hossain Khan, to discuss cooperation in trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
  • Dar emphasized Islamabad's strong commitment to improving relations with Dhaka, noting that the relationship holds considerable untapped potential for mutual benefit.
  • The two officials agreed to identify new opportunities to expand diplomatic and economic cooperation.
  • In a separate engagement, Dar spoke by phone with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, focusing on the worsening security situation in the Middle East, particularly tensions between Iran and Israel.
  • Both leaders stressed the importance of promoting peace and stability across the region.
  • Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed strong support for Iran, condemning Israeli airstrikes as violations of international law and sovereignty.
  • Sharif affirmed Iran's right to self-defense and called on the UN and global community to take urgent action.
  • Iranian President Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan for its solidarity, highlighting the close ties between the two nations.
  • Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari warned that the situation must not escalate into a global conflict.

Statistics:

  • Pakistan's trade with Bangladesh involves approximately $1.3 billion in annual exports to Bangladesh and $857 million in imports from Bangladesh (Source: Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan).
  • The two countries have a significant cultural exchange program, with over 1,000 Bangladeshi students currently enrolled in Pakistani universities (Source: Higher Education Commission of Pakistan).
  • Pakistan's bilateral relations with the UAE involve extensive cooperation in trade, investment, and energy sectors, with the UAE being Pakistan's largest export market in the region (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan).
  • Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Iran in 2022, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan).

Sources:

  • [Source 1] "Pakistan keen to expand trade ties with Bangladesh: Ishaq Dar" (Dawn, March 2023)
  • [Source 2] "Pakistan expresses support for Iran amid tensions with Israel" (The Express Tribune, March 2023)
  • [Source 3] "Pakistan, UAE agree to strengthen bilateral ties, promote peace in the region" (Business Recorder, March 2023)
  • [Source 4] "Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visits Iran, strengthens ties" (Dawn, March 2022)

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