Kuala Lumpur (TDI): Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, addressed the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Malaysia, reiterating Pakistan’s support for regional peace, multilateralism, and international law.
He expressed gratitude to Malaysia for hosting the forum and extended congratulations to the nation on hosting the 46th ASEAN Summit successfully.
Senator Dar supported ASEAN’s vision and reaffirmed that Pakistan is determined to fulfill its role as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner and an ARF member.
Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia pic.twitter.com/9E2so2HVqE
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 11, 2025
Senator Dar emphasized the significance of ARF as a platform for confidence-building amid increased global fragmentation.
He acknowledged advances in the development of ASEAN’s post-2025 Plan of Action and backed the emphasis on non-traditional security concerns such as climate change, cybersecurity, pandemics, maritime security, and disaster relief.
Labeling India’s response to the Pahalgam attack as unprovoked aggression, he protested the Indian actions and reaffirmed Pakistan’s right to self-defense. In addition, he also protested India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and warned of far-reaching consequences for regional stability.Â
Senator Dar also highlighted Pakistan’s struggle against terrorism, including the loss of over 80,000 individuals and an expense of $150 billion. He called for an identification of the reasons for terrorism and raised concerns over the use of counterterrorism rhetoric for the exclusion of Muslim communities.
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Talking about Afghanistan, he reaffirmed determination to end the war in the region and pressed the Afghan interim administration to refrain from cross-border terrorism. He appreciated the Iran-Israel ceasefire and urged a diplomatic settlement of the conflict over the Iranian nuclear program.
In condemning Israeli aggression against Palestine, he called for international intervention on an emergency basis and reasserted support for an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
He welcomed the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea and reiterated support for One China policy.
He also highlighted climate justice, citing the vulnerability of Pakistan to climate change and urging developed countries to honor their commitments of climate finance.
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