Pakistan Rejects Indian Hegemony Narrative, Says Ishaq Dar

LONDON: During a press briefing in London following his official visit to the United Kingdom, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan has disproven the false narrative promoted by Indian media and the government regarding its supposed dominance and image as the region’s “net security provider.” The press conference was broadcast on national television.

He asserted that Pakistan emerged victorious in the recent conflict with India, which was initiated by unprovoked Indian aggression.

“The Indian media and officials have admitted that their narrative was unsuccessful. Conversely, Pakistan’s account was rooted in facts and truth, which has been recognized internationally,” he added.

Dar noted that Pakistan established superiority over India not only in the air but also on the ground.

He emphasized that Pakistan has consistently advocated for the respect, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all nations in the region and expects reciprocal behavior.

Describing the statements made by Indian leaders as regrettable, he advised them to acknowledge their defeat and move forward. He emphasized that Pakistan did not request any mediation for a ceasefire; instead, it was the Indian side that agreed to it, a fact communicated by US Secretary of State Rubio during the conflict in May.

Dar, accompanied by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, further affirmed the current government’s dedication to economic stability and prosperity. He stated that their policies have led to an increase in foreign reserves and a decline in inflation rates.

“Pakistan will become stronger. Unity is essential for Pakistan to attain its rightful position among nations and join the D-20,” he stated.

He insisted that Pakistan should not be lectured on terrorism, as it is the primary victim. He reminded that Pakistan has been at the forefront of the global war on terrorism, sacrificing 90,000 lives and incurring substantial losses of $192 billion. He stressed the importance of the world recognizing these significant sacrifices.

He recalled that terrorism was eradicated from the country in 2014 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Regarding official visits to various countries, he explained that their objective is to present Pakistan’s clear position on various issues, including the fight against terrorism.

He highlighted that, due to these endeavors, the US has designated the BLA and Majeed Brigade as international terrorist organizations due to their involvement in various terrorist acts, including the train hijacking in Balochistan. Dar also urged the Pakistani diaspora not to engage in trivial politics on national issues.

“Following Indian aggression, we unanimously passed a resolution in parliament strongly condemning it, which also conveyed a message of national unity to the world,” he added.

Dar further underscored the need for national unity to propel the country towards progress.

Responding to a question, he expressed regret that PIA was generating billions in revenue before its grounding and that it has taken years to revitalize the national airline.

He welcomed the EU’s decision to lift the ban on PIA in November 2024 and noted that the UK has followed suit. PIA authorities are currently in discussions with UK authorities to potentially resume flights to Manchester in September, with possible expansion to London later.

Dar also described his bilateral and trilateral meetings with UK counterparts and officials as highly productive, covering a wide range of bilateral issues, including the Kashmir dispute and climate change.