US has emerged as a credible arbiter of peace, stability in South Asia: Ishaq Dar

WASHINGTON
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar has said the US has emerged as a credible arbiter of peace and stability in South Asia.
The US has emerged as a credible arbiter of peace and stability in South Asia as is evident from May 2025 ceasefire between India and Pakistan, he said this while addressing the Atlantic Council, Washington DC.
He held Pakistan does not want any conflict with neighboring countries. Pakistan acted against India for the sake of its defence.
“Pakistan does not seek conflict with any of its neighbors. Our vision is not rooted in rivalry, but in regional connectivity and you have just seen that on 17th of July, after efforts of two years, I visited Kabul where Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan signed a railway connectivity project known as Trans-Afghan Railway. Our vision is not rooted in rivalry, but in regional connectivity – in trade corridors, energy partnerships, climate resilience, and cultural exchange, he stated. .
India blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam incident without any evidence.
India perpetrated aggression against Pakistan after leveling allegations against it.
India misleads the world and malign Pakistan under pretext of terrorism.
US played a vital role in ceasefire between Pakistan and India, he added. Pakistan wants peaceful resolution of pending issues.
Citing to May 9 incident he said law will take its course on May 9 incident.
He held government has nothing to do with cases against PTI founder. Being popular leader does not mean raising arms or taking law into hands.
He further said PTI staged dharna (sit-in) for 126 days in 2014 which adversely affected economy.
PTI founder came to me for donation before stepping in politics.
He underscored Kashmir is core dispute between Pakistan and India. UN Security Council resolutions endorse right to self determination of Kashmiris. India has illegally usurped this right for seven decades and continues with this tyrannical occupation. India is perpetuating its tyrannical occupation.
He remarked India took unilateral steps which were one sided and illegal.
Jammu and Kashmir remains a core dispute between Pakistan and India. At the heart of this dispute lies adherence to the UN Security Council Resolutions reaffirming the right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people. India has illegally usurped this right for seven decades and continues with this tyrannical occupation. India’s actions are designed for changing demographics of the disputed region which are blatant violations of international laws including Geneva convention.
They are not acceptable to anyone who believes in justice and peace.
The India-Pakistan standoff this May – sparked by a familiar pattern of escalation and mutual distrust – brought the region dangerously close to the brink.
Once again, crisis diplomacy, backchannel communications, and international engagement – particularly from the United States and friendly countries– played a critical role in de-escalation.
We are thankful to President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio and his team for the role played by them in ceasefire. We are committed for its implementation.
On the other hand our neighbor and its leadership while demonstrating political aggression are saying this is temporary.
We believe in peace and we never took initiative in escalation.
We only acted, both in the skies and on the ground, in self-defense as per the charter, Article 51 of the UN charter.
But we cannot and we must not continue to rely on luck and last-minute interventions, he added. .
He held negotiations are underway with US and soon trade agreement will be executed.
Pakistan wants trade and not aid from US.
The United States is the largest single-country destination for Pakistani exports.. Not many are aware that Pakistan is the second-largest buyer of US cotton – contributing to the wellbeing of US farmers.
Pakistan seeks better market access in the US.
We are deeply concerned by the violence in Gaza with loss of over 50,000 innocent lives, predominantly women and children. And now for the last few days, we are watching the hunger issue.
We call for an immediate ceasefire, durable peace and rebuilding of Gaza. A two-state solution is the only path to lasting peace.
Pakistan’s declared foreign policy for decades is two-states solution with Palestine having its own homeland, a contiguous, secure, stable, sovereign country for the Palestinians with Al-Quds Al Sharif its capital and pre-1967 its borders
He noted that a stable Afghanistan is in our vital interest.
He added the threat of terrorism from Afghan soil is real, and the biggest threat to Pakistan’s security
On 19th of April this year, after four years of almost stalemate between the two countries, I visited for a day.
Trans-Afghan Railway project were signed.
He underscored that India’s bids to establish dominance in the region have been buried between May 7 and 9.