Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan has successfully dismantled the false narrative promoted by the Indian media and government, which had portrayed India as a regional “net security provider” and claimed its supposed hegemony.
Speaking at a press conference in London after his official visit to the United Kingdom, which was broadcast live on national TV, he declared that Pakistan had emerged victorious in its recent armed conflict with India, which was triggered by unprovoked Indian aggression.
“The Indian media and bureaucracy have acknowledged that their narrative was unsuccessful. On the other hand, Pakistan’s narrative was based on facts and truth, which was recognized by the world,” he added.
Dar said that after demonstrating air superiority, Pakistan also settled scores with India on the ground. He stressed that Pakistan has always stood for the respect, dignity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries in the region and expects the same from others.
Calling the statements of Indian leaders “unfortunate,” he advised them to accept their defeat and move forward. He emphasized that Pakistan had not requested anyone to broker a ceasefire; rather, it was the Indian side that agreed to it, a fact conveyed to him by U.S. Secretary of State Rubio during the conflict in May.
Flanked by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Dar further stated that the current government is committed to economic stability and prosperity, and its policies have resulted in foreign reserves growth and a downward trend in inflation rates.
“Pakistan will emerge stronger. Unity will take us forward if we want Pakistan to get its rightful place among the comity of nations and to join the D-20,” he observed.
He asserted that no one should tell Pakistan to hold talks on terrorism, as the country is the “biggest victim of terrorism.” Pakistan has fought the global war on terrorism on the front foot, sacrificing 90,000 lives and enduring colossal losses of $192 billion. He stressed that the world must acknowledge these immense sacrifices.
He noted that terrorism had been eliminated from the country during former premier Nawaz Sharif’s tenure in 2014.
Regarding his official visits to various countries, he said their efforts were aimed at projecting Pakistan’s candid stance on various issues, including the scourge of terrorism. He opined that due to these efforts, the U.S. had proscribed BLA and Majeed Brigade as international terrorist outfits who had been involved in different terrorism incidents, including train hijacking in Balochistan. Dar also advised the Pakistani diaspora not to get involved in petty politics on national issues.
“After the Indian aggression, we adopted a unanimous resolution in the parliament strongly condemning it, which also sent a message to the world about the nation’s unity,” he added.
Dar further underlined the need for the nation to move in unison to put the country on the track of progress.
In response to a question, he said it was unfortunate that PIA had been earning billions of rupees in revenue when it was grounded, and it took years to revive the national flag carrier.
He welcomed the EU’s decision to lift the ban on PIA in November 2024 and said the UK also followed suit. PIA authorities were in negotiation with the UK authorities to resume flights to Manchester in September under a tentative program, which could later be expanded to London.
Dar also termed his bilateral and trilateral meetings with UK counterparts and authorities very productive, in which all aspects of bilateral ties were discussed, including the Kashmir dispute and climate change.
