Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed optimism on Friday, stating his hope that a trade deal between Pakistan and the United States could be finalized “in a matter of days, not weeks.” Speaking at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington, Dar noted, “I think we are very close to finalizing a deal with the US. Our teams have been here in Washington, discussing, having virtual meetings, and a committee has been tasked by the prime minister to fine-tune now.”
He reiterated the imminent nature of the agreement, saying, “It’s not going to be months, not even weeks, I would say (just) days.” Dar shared these remarks following a productive bilateral meeting earlier in the day with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, US officials did not provide a specific timeframe for the long-awaited trade deal.
Addressing the audience, Dar stated, “Ties between Pakistan and the US are getting better, and both sides have agreed to work on building a strong, long-term partnership.” He highlighted that his discussions with Secretary Rubio covered a broad spectrum of issues, with both nations expressing willingness to bolster cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and counter-terrorism. “We also discussed regional and global matters,” he added. Dar extended his gratitude to the President Donald Trump-led US administration for its constructive role in easing tensions between Pakistan and India.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to close cooperation in global forums, including the UN Security Council, and underscored the necessity of dialogue in addressing the Iran-Israel conflict. Regarding economic relations with Washington, the Deputy Prime Minister declared, “Pakistan wants trade, not aid.” He further added that “Pakistan is planning to grant greater access to American products in its markets and welcomes US investors in the mining sector.”
Pakistan-India Tensions and Counter-Terrorism Stance
Discussing Pakistan-India tensions, Dar asserted that both countries need to cease blaming each other and begin building trust if they intend to move forward. On the subject of terrorism, he emphasized, “Pakistan is already taking action and doesn’t need to be told what to do.”
Dar stated, “India hasn’t given any proof that Pakistan was involved in the Pahalgam attack,” adding that “India often uses terrorism to shift focus and avoid the real issue, the Kashmir dispute, which remains the main bone of contention between the two neighbors.” He informed the audience that India has repeatedly attempted to alter the demographics of the region during its more than 70 years of illegal occupation.
Dar also recounted the events leading to the ceasefire in May, clarifying that Pakistan concluded its military operation in defense of its sovereignty. He mentioned that Rubio had inquired about Pakistan’s readiness for a ceasefire, to which Dar responded, “We weren’t ready to start a war in the first place.”
Dar revealed that the US had pledged to facilitate talks between Pakistan and India at a neutral location. He stated, “Pakistan is ready to talk about everything, from Kashmir to terrorism, but made it clear that the talks have to be two-sided.” During his address at the think tank, the Deputy PM remarked, “Pakistan can’t sit down alone and expect results.” He concluded, “Pakistan wants no conflict with its neighbours. We seek lasting peace in South Asia, built on trade and partnerships, not hostility.”
When questioned about the US designating The Resistance Front (TRF) as a terrorist group, Dar stated that Pakistan had no issue with the move, but he strongly disagreed with linking TRF to Lashkar-e-Taiba. He affirmed that the latter group was disbanded years ago, its members arrested and jailed, and “TRF has nothing to do with it.”
Long-Term Ties and Domestic Political Discourse
The Deputy Prime Minister urged the US to transition from transactional ties towards a more strategic and stable relationship with Pakistan. He clarified that Pakistan’s defense deals with China would not affect its relations with the US, as such decisions are based on which country offers the better deal.
Dar also addressed questions regarding Pakistan’s internal political situation. On the topic of a ‘domestic ceasefire,’ he mentioned that former PTI chairman Imran Khan used to meet him regularly and that he personally contributed to Khan’s hospital. He attributed Khan’s 2014 sit-in to the stagnation of economic progress and recalled his attempts to broker a “domestic ceasefire” at that time.
Dar criticized Khan for “taking up arms against the state on May 9” and asserted that such acts must be dealt with under the law, irrespective of one’s popularity. He declared, “No one has the right to attack military installations. That’s not politics — that’s treason.”
Regarding the US imprisonment of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, Dar stated he had no objection if it was done under the law, but he pointed out that attacking national installations in Pakistan also constitutes treason — an implicit reference to PTI’s alleged violent political activities.
Discussing terrorism and extremism, Dar commended former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for taking decisive actions against militancy. He criticized the PTI government for reversing that progress. The Deputy PM alleged that the Imran Khan-led regime released over 100 militants, opened borders, and allowed 30,000 to 40,000 Taliban fighters to return and regroup within Pakistan. He sharply rebuked the previous government’s policies, stating, “That one cup of tea brought armed rebellion back to life in Pakistan.”
Dar-Rubio Meeting Highlights
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio lauded Pakistan’s sacrifices in the War on Terror during his meeting with DPM Dar, marking a significant high-level interaction between the two nations. Ties between Islamabad and Washington have been improving following a prolonged diplomatic freeze, with a noticeable thaw last month when US President Donald Trump warmly welcomed Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House.
In their 40-minute inaugural meeting, Secretary Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s unparalleled sacrifices in the War on Terror and praised the country’s constructive role in global and regional peace. According to US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Rubio commended Islamabad’s willingness to play a constructive role in mediating conversations with Iran and its commitment to regional peace, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
Bruce further stated that “The two also discussed prospects for deepening bilateral counterterrorism cooperation, including countering Daesh-K, and the upcoming US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue in Islamabad this August.” Secretary Rubio, she added, also emphasized the importance of increasing bilateral trade and exploring avenues to boost cooperation in the minerals and mining sector.
