Ishaq Dar

Iran rejected economic threats from Donald Trump, dismissing them as 'failed policies' designed to divert U.S. attention from domestic issues. Amid ongoing tensions, Syria’s Foreign Minister visited Pakistan for talks focused on regional de-escalation between the United States and Iran. Separately, two bodies of Pakistani crew members killed in a Houthi attack were successfully repatriated.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condemned an Iranian-backed Houthi attack on a ship off Yemen, which killed three Pakistani nationals, amid growing fears that the violence could reignite Yemen’s civil war. Separately, Turkey condemned Colombia for recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, stating the move violated international law and emphasizing the territory's integral part of Syria.

Houthi attacks off Yemen resulted in the deaths of three Pakistani nationals and injured another, leading Pakistan's Foreign Minister to condemn the act as a violation of international law threatening freedom of navigation. Separately, Turkey condemned Colombia for recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, stating that the territory is an integral part of Syria.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister stated that the newly signed Mecca Joint Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey is purely defensive in nature and remains open to other nations. The agreement stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all, strengthening strategic security cooperation among the countries.

Search teams recovered the bodies of British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja, Chinese climber Zhong Wang, and Nepali climbers Nima Sherpa and Kilu Sherpa from Broad Peak in Pakistan, bringing the total recovered to seven after an avalanche killed 10 members of an international expedition. The Alpine Club of Pakistan described the recovery as one of the most technically challenging on the mountain.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Jordan's Ayman Safadi to discuss the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank and regional developments. They reaffirmed Pakistan-Jordan cooperation across political, economic, and cultural domains and highlighted Jordan's role in safeguarding Jerusalem's holy sites. Dar also met Somalia's Foreign Minister to strengthen bilateral ties.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will attend a ministerial meeting in Jordan on August 5 to address the deteriorating situation in occupied Jerusalem with Arab League and Islamic countries. The meeting will discuss the humanitarian situation in Palestine and the status of Al Aqsa Mosque, with Pakistan reaffirming support for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Pakistan welcomed Kuwait's ratification of a 2023 defense cooperation agreement, marking a milestone in their longstanding partnership since the 1980s. The pact focuses on military training, joint exercises, and institutional collaboration to strengthen bilateral defense ties and regional security.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to discuss the Middle East situation and bilateral relations. The two leaders reaffirmed commitments to strengthen Pakistan-Kuwait ties and held talks on regional developments. Pakistan and Kuwait are negotiating an expanded defense pact in exchange for energy cooperation and investment.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed confidence that bilateral trade with the United States could double to $20 billion in five years, citing current trade at $9.4 billion and opportunities in sectors like energy, technology, and agriculture. He highlighted initiatives such as the Special Investment Facilitation Council to streamline investments and strengthen economic ties.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah will visit Pakistan from July 28 to 29, 2026, at the invitation of Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The visit aims to review bilateral relations and discuss regional and international developments. The Kuwaiti minister is also expected to meet with Pakistan's leadership.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and other federal cabinet members received gifts from foreign dignitaries this year, with items deposited in Toshakhana. The government periodically publishes details of these gifts, including records since 2002, though the identities of the gift-givers remain undisclosed. The Cabinet Division emphasized disclaimers about data accuracy and responsibility for errors.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss building on the Islamabad MoU amid ongoing US-Iran strikes. The meeting highlighted concerns over regional tensions and the need for diplomatic engagement, while recent military actions have cast doubt on the MoU's future.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Kyrgyz Republic President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting. Discussions focused on bilateral relations, regional cooperation, and Pakistan’s upcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026–27. The SCO, now a forum for economic development, includes 10 member states and two observer states.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar highlighted the Kashmir dispute and India's threats to Pakistan's water share as global challenges threatening peace during a speech at the ASEAN Regional Forum. He also addressed the US-Iran conflict and Pakistan's efforts to facilitate a ceasefire, urging international support for peaceful resolutions.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Manila to attend the 33rd Asean Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting. The event includes discussions on Asia-Pacific political and security issues and bilateral meetings with delegates from 27 ARF member states.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand arrived in Islamabad for her first official visit since taking office. She met with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss trade, investment, education, and regional issues. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to addressing Balochistan's economic and development challenges through constitutional means during a meeting with the National Party delegation. Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, leading the delegation, emphasized cooperation with stakeholders and noted that insurgent groups in Balochistan lack public support, following recent attacks that killed 32 civilians and police.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand is visiting Pakistan this week for the first time in 20 years. She will meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to deepen strategic partnerships.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Venezuela's Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia discussed enhancing economic collaboration across trade, investment, agriculture, and IT. They reaffirmed bilateral ties and expressed condolences over recent earthquakes in Venezuela.

China and Pakistan urged the United States and Iran to cease hostilities and resume negotiations following a meeting in Shanghai. The two countries emphasized the need for dialogue to address the deteriorating Middle East conflict and reiterated their commitment to advancing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0 and cooperation in technology.

China and Pakistan urge the US and Iran to resume peace talks, calling for a ceasefire and resumption of dialogue under the Memorandum of Understanding.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is visiting Shanghai to sign an agreement for Pakistan to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) as a founding member. He will also attend the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 and engage with officials to advance AI cooperation. Pakistan has supported China's initiative to establish WAICO, emphasizing equitable AI governance and bridging the global AI divide.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Saarc process during a meeting with Secretary-General Golam Sarwar. Dar emphasized revitalizing Saarc to advance regional connectivity and development, while also congratulating Pakistan’s new ambassador-designate to Nepal, Aamir Khan, on his appointment.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss the country's situation and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The meeting occurred ahead of AJK's July 27 elections, as the PPP and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) announced a joint election campaign and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) called for protests over reserved seats.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Qatar to express condolences over the death of former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The visit included meetings with Qatar's emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and discussions on bilateral relations, alongside Pakistan's observance of a day of mourning. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Minister Attaullah Tarar accompanied the prime minister.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar of Pakistan held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, urging de-escalation and restraint amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Both leaders discussed the regional situation, referencing the Islamabad MoU signed in June 2026 to address the conflict between the US and Iran.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who led Qatar from 1995 to 2013, died at 74. He oversaw Qatar's transformation into a regional power, launched Al Jazeera, and abdicated in 2013 in favor of his son. Pakistan's foreign minister expressed condolences, highlighting his role in Qatar's development and bilateral ties.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized the country’s strategic geographical location as an asset requiring full exploration to boost economic benefits through improved connectivity. He chaired meetings focusing on enhancing port efficiency, streamlining operations, and promoting economic diplomacy to strengthen regional trade and economic stability.

Islamabad will host the OIC's 9th Ministerial Conference on Women from July 12-13, focusing on socio-economic and political empowerment of women in OIC countries. The event, organized by Pakistan's human rights ministry, will feature high-level discussions and participation from 57 member states.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the formation of a committee to review suggestions from PML-N lawmakers in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) for regional welfare. The committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, will address development priorities including infrastructure, education, energy, and employment, with initiatives like cadet schools and a 100-megawatt solar project highlighted.

PPP's Raja Pervez Ashraf stated the upcoming AJK assembly will decide refugee seats, a constitutional issue. He expressed confidence in the party's election victory and warned India against disrupting Pakistan's water share. PPP leadership, including Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, emphasized political dialogue and democratic elections in AJK.

Pakistan and Croatia discussed potential collaboration between their ports during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Croatia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. The two sides agreed to strengthen ties in trade, investment, agriculture, and other sectors, with plans for bilateral political consultations in 2026 or early 2027.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Istanbul for an official visit to Turkiye at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He attended the funeral of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei before traveling to Istanbul, where he was met by Turkish officials and Pakistani representatives. The visit includes discussions on bilateral relations, trade, and regional security, along with a business conference highlighting investment opportunities in sectors like energy and technology.

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will remain in abeyance until Pakistan irrevocably stops sponsoring cross-border terrorism, according to the government. Pakistan organized a conference on the Indus and water sharing, where Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described the IWT as vital for regional peace, stability, and cooperation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Iran to attend the funeral of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in a US-Israeli strike. He is accompanied by senior officials including the National Assembly Speaker and Foreign Minister. The visit aims to express solidarity with Iran and reaffirm Pakistan's support.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Iran and Turkiye from July 3 to 5 to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral trade, investment, and regional security cooperation, alongside diplomatic efforts to mediate the US-Iran conflict.

Pakistan accused India of 'weaponisation of water' over the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, warning it could threaten regional peace and security. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and officials made the remarks at a seminar discussing the 1960 World Bank-brokered treaty governing water sharing between the two nations.

Pakistan Deputy PM Ishaq Dar stated that the Indus Waters Treaty remains valid, binding, and operative. He warned that depriving Pakistan of its allocated waters would have profound consequences for regional peace and security.

Iran launched missile and drone attacks on eight US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain following US strikes on Iranian targets. Both sides accuse each other of endangering a ceasefire, while regional tensions escalate with arrests in Iraq and a Palestinian injury in East Jerusalem.