Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and multilateralism, calling them essential tools for achieving global peace, stability and development. Speaking on the second day of the three-day Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC), he said that dialogue has always been Pakistan’s preferred instrument for stability and progress.
Addressing parliamentarians and delegates from around the world, Dar said that their presence reflected a shared belief that cooperation among nations remained the most reliable path to peace and prosperity. He noted that diplomacy today extended beyond ministries and missions, drawing new strength from public awareness and parliamentary engagement.
“Parliamentary diplomacy complements traditional diplomacy by bringing the perspective of the people’s representatives into international discourse,” the Deputy Prime Minister stated, adding that such engagement ensures diplomacy reflects the real aspirations of citizens worldwide.
Dar appreciated the vital role of parliamentarians in transforming international commitments into domestic actions, simplifying regulations and fostering innovation so that economic growth benefits all. He said regional connectivity, trade facilitation and investment partnerships are key to achieving shared prosperity among nations.
Commenting on global challenges, the Foreign Minister said the world was undergoing a period of transformation marked by declining trust in multilateral institutions, rising geopolitical tensions, climate change, terrorism and widening economic inequalities. “At such a moment, forums like this carry exceptional importance,” he said. “Multilateralism must not only be preserved but revitalised through inclusion, transparency and active participation of people’s representatives.”
Referring to the conference theme — Peace, Security and Development — Dar said it underscored a powerful truth: peace enables growth, development sustains peace, and security strengthens progress. He stressed that institutions must remain inclusive and accountable to ensure that the dividends of peace and prosperity reach all people.
Condemning the recent terrorist attacks in Wana and Islamabad that claimed 15 lives, Dar said Pakistan firmly rejects terrorism in all its forms. “These cowardly acts will never shake our resolve to eliminate this menace,” he declared, reaffirming that dialogue and cooperation remain the only sustainable path to lasting peace and security.
Dar highlighted that Pakistan’s foreign policy is guided by the principles of the UN Charter — sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference and friendly relations among nations. He emphasized Pakistan’s consistent advocacy for regional cooperation, conflict prevention and equitable development.
Praising the vision of Senate Chairman and ISC Founding Chairman Senator Yousaf Raza Gilani, Dar said that convening the conference under the Senate of Pakistan was another milestone in the country’s diplomatic efforts to advance global peace and development through parliamentary cooperation.
“As Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House in the Senate, I am reminded that Pakistan’s journey on the international stage has always been defined by resilience, dialogue and partnership,” he said. “The ISC provides a unique platform to translate these principles into concrete outcomes that serve Pakistan’s interests while strengthening regional stability.”
Highlighting Pakistan’s leadership role at the United Nations, Dar recalled that during Pakistan’s presidency of the UN Security Council in July 2025, it had convened an open debate on promoting peace through multilateralism, leading to the unanimous adoption of a Pakistan-sponsored resolution on peaceful dispute settlement.
He said Pakistan’s experience positions it as a bridge between the Global South and Global North, advocating cooperation over competition and equitable partnerships over hierarchies in shaping the future world order.
Concluding his address, Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to act as a bridge-builder, uniting regions and amplifying the voices of the developing world. “Diplomacy, whether in the chamber or chancery, must serve the people,” he said, adding that the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference embodied people-centered diplomacy, rooted in accountability and driven by empathy toward a fairer and more peaceful world.