Ishaq Dar says G20 membership a strategic goal for Pakistan

Declares meeting with US Secretary of State "highly productive": Says Pakistan wants a good relationship with India: Clarifies his govt made efforts for Aafia Siddiqui's release: Pakistan escaped default due to PML-N's efforts

Addressing the Pakistani community in New York, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that joining the G20 is now a primary goal of the Pakistani government, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday.

Ishaq Dar emphasised Islamabad’s ambitions to elevate the country’s status on the global stage and secure its position among the world’s largest economies.

Speaking about recent diplomatic engagements, Dar described his meeting with the US Secretary of State as "highly productive" and reiterated that Pakistan desires peaceful and constructive relations with India.

Turning to economic matters, Ishaq Dar said that had the PTI government remained in power for another six months, Pakistan would have faced a sovereign default.

“We inherited a sinking economy but acted swiftly to stabilise it,” he said. He accused the PTI's four-year term of derailing a once fast-growing economy.

According to Dar, thanks to three years of PML-N reforms, multiple economic indicators have improved, including GDP growth, and global financial institutions have acknowledged Pakistan’s recovery efforts.

He praised overseas Pakistanis as the backbone of the economy, describing them as “national assets” who continue to support the country through remittances and international influence.

On the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, Ishaq Dar made strong remarks during the New York address, stating that the PML-N government had made exhaustive efforts to secure her release, even appealing to the Biden administration for a pardon. “Let no one say we didn’t try. We tried everything in our power,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that yesterday, following criticism and media debate, Dar issued a clarification via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) regarding his remarks on Dr Aafia Siddiqui. He explained that his comments made during a session at the Atlantic Council in Washington were "misinterpreted and taken out of context" while he was responding to a question related to former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s legal matters.

"My reference to Dr Aafia Siddiqui's case was not meant to diminish our efforts. In fact, every PML-N government has consistently extended full diplomatic and legal support for her release—and will continue to do so until she is repatriated," Dar clarified.

He stressed that each country has its own legal system, and Pakistan respects both its own judiciary and that of others, including the United States.