Dar Labels Aafia Siddiqui as ‘Daughter of the Nation’ During New York Visit

NEW YORK (RNN TV) — Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, during an address to the Pakistani community in New York, reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to securing the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, describing her as the “daughter of Pakistan” and calling her imprisonment a humanitarian issue of national concern.

Dar revealed that Pakistan had made “desperate and sincere” diplomatic efforts for Dr Siddiqui’s release, including a formal request for pardon submitted before U.S. President Joe Biden completed his term. “Let no one be mistaken — Dr Aafia Siddiqui is the daughter of Pakistan,” he declared, reaffirming that Islamabad continues to engage Washington on the matter.

He stressed that the government views her case not just as a legal battle, but as a human rights issue. “We’ve pursued every possible diplomatic avenue,” Dar said, underlining the urgency and emotional weight the case carries in Pakistan.

Economic Revival Credited to Coalition Government

Shifting focus to Pakistan’s economy, Dar claimed that the coalition government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, had successfully pulled the country back from the brink of bankruptcy. “Had the PTI government continued for another six months, Pakistan would have gone bankrupt,” he asserted.

He called the no-confidence motion against the previous administration a difficult yet necessary decision to restore political and economic stability. Highlighting progress, he pointed to rising foreign exchange reserves, decreasing inflation, and a rebound in GDP growth.

“All major international financial institutions have acknowledged our economic turnaround,” Dar said. He added that the government’s long-term goal is to elevate Pakistan into the ranks of the G20 nations.

Outreach to Overseas Pakistanis

Calling overseas Pakistanis the “nation’s capital,” Dar urged the diaspora to take a more active role in the country’s development. He assured that the government is streamlining investment procedures and reducing bureaucratic hurdles to encourage greater engagement from expatriates.

Diplomatic Engagements and Regional Security

Dar noted that Pakistan has reasserted itself on the global diplomatic stage after years of isolation. “Previously, no one invited us. Today, we are engaged with the world,” he said, citing his recent “very useful” meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

He clarified that Pakistan seeks robust relations with the United States, but not at the expense of its strategic partnership with China. “We want balanced relations with both,” he said.

On regional security, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s firm stance against terrorism, revealing that a clear message had been delivered to Afghan authorities. “We told Afghanistan not to allow its soil to be used against Pakistan. Our security is non-negotiable,” he said.

While reaffirming Pakistan’s desire for peaceful ties with India, Dar warned that provocations would be met with strong responses. “We responded to Indian aggression — from downing Rafale jets to closing our airspace,” he said, adding that Pakistan had called for an international probe into the Pahalgam incident and worked to counter Indian propaganda globally.

Pakistan’s Renewed Global Standing

Concluding his remarks, Dar highlighted Pakistan’s recent election as president of the United Nations Security Council as evidence of renewed international confidence. “Under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, Pakistan is regaining its rightful place on the global stage,” he said.

Source: Web Desk