DPM Dar stresses dialogue as only sustainable path to peace and security

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ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq DAR on Wednesday said that Pakistan rejected terrorism in all its forms and insults and affirmed that dialogue, understanding and partnership remained the only sustainable path to peace and security.

DPM Dar, while addressing the second day of the three-day Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference (ISC), condemned the recent terror attacks in Wana and Islamabad, saying, “These acts of cowardice can never shake our national resolve to end this menace.”

Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and multilateralism as essential tools to ensure peace, stability and development, the minister said, “Dialogue has always been our preferred instrument for stability and development.”

Addressing parliamentarians, delegates and participants from around the world here, the DPM said his presence reflected the shared belief that cooperation among nations is a sure path to peace and development.

Dar emphasized that diplomacy today went beyond ministries and traditional missions, drawing strength from public awareness and parliamentary engagement.

“Parliamentary diplomacy complements traditional diplomacy by bringing the perspective of people’s representatives into international discourse,” he said, stressing that such interactions strengthen global cooperation and ensure that diplomacy reflects the aspirations and interests of citizens worldwide.

The Minister commended parliamentarians for their important role in translating international commitments into domestic initiatives, simplifying regulations and enabling innovation to ensure that development benefits all citizens. He said that through regional connectivity, trade facilitation and investment partnership, economies can achieve common prosperity.

Referring to the ongoing global challenges, Dar noted that the world is witnessing an era of change through strained trust in multilateral institutions, geopolitical rivalries, climate crises, terrorism and widespread inequality.

“At a moment like this, such forums are of extraordinary importance,” he remarked. “Multilateralism should not only be preserved but kept alive through openness, inclusion and active participation of people’s representatives”.

Underlining this year’s theme, “Peace, Security and Development”, the FM said it emphasized a simple but powerful truth – that peace enables development, development sustains peace, and security strengthens development. He stressed that institutions should be accountable and inclusive so that the benefits of peace and development reach all people.

Dar reiterated that Pakistan’s foreign policy was anchored in the principles of the UN Charter-sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-violence and friendly relations between the United Nations, and noted Pakistan’s consistent advocacy for regional cooperation, conflict prevention and equitable development.

He noted that the conference, convened by the vision of Senator Yusuf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate under the Senate of Pakistan and Founder Chairman of ISC, marked another milestone in Pakistan’s continuous efforts to advance peace, security and development through multilateralism.

“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 flexibility, dialogue and partnership,” Dar said, adding that the ICC provided a unique platform to translate these principles into concrete results that advance Pakistan’s interests while strengthening regional stability.

‘Pakistan’s Unique Status’

Highlighting Pakistan’s leadership at the United Nations, he recalled that during its presidency of the United Nations Security Council in July 2025, Pakistan had called for an open debate on promoting international peace through multilateralism, which led to the unanimous adoption of a Pakistan-sponsored resolution on strengthening mechanisms for peaceful conflict resolution.

“Pakistan’s experience sets it apart as a bridge between the Global South and the Global North and between regions and civilizations.

“We believe that cooperation should replace competition, and that equal partnership, not hierarchy, should define the future international order,” he said.

At the end of his remarks, Dar asked the participants to reaffirm their faith in dialogue and cooperation. “Pakistan is ready to serve as a bridge-builder, unify the united regions, amplify the voices of the developing world and promote peace through justice and dialogue,” he said. “Ultimately, diplomacy, whether in the Chamber or the Chancery, should serve the people”.

He added that the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference embodied the spirit of people-centred diplomacy, represented in representation, anchored in accountability and driven by compassion, which paved the way for a fairer, safer and more prosperous world for all.