US applauds Pakistan's backchannel role on Iran
Listen to article
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed appreciation for Pakistan's continued willingness to play a constructive role in mediating conversations with Iran and its commitment to preserving regional stability during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
"The two also discussed prospects for deepening bilateral counterterrorism cooperation, including countering ISIS-K, and the upcoming US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue in Islamabad this August," the State Department said in the readout of the meeting.
"The Secretary underscored the importance of expanding mutually beneficial bilateral trade and exploring prospects for enhancing collaboration in the critical minerals and mining sectors," it added.
In a post on X, Dar described the meeting as "a comprehensive discussion on the full spectrum of bilateral relations," reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to a long-term partnership with the US. He said the talks included a renewed focus on economic, trade, investment, IT/AI, and counterterrorism cooperation.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the United States and Pakistan were "very close" to a trade deal that could come within days, but comments from the US after Dar met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned no timeline.
"I think we are very close to finalising a deal with US. Our teams have been here in Washington, discussing, having virtual meetings and a committee has been tasked by the prime minister to fine-tune now," Dar said in a discussion at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington.
"It's not going to be months, not even weeks, I would say (just) days," he said.
Under US President Donald Trump, Washington has attempted to renegotiate trade agreements with many countries that he threatened with tariffs over what he calls unfair trade relations.
Many economists dispute Trump's characterisation. The US State Department and Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in separate statements after Rubio's meeting with Dar, said the two stressed in their discussion the importance of expanding trade and ties in critical minerals and mining.
A post by Rubio on X after the meeting and the State Department's statement mentioned no timeline for finalising a trade deal.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has underlined the need for a sustainable architecture of peace in South Asia and said the United States as a global power and a partner has a constructive and stabilising role to play.
Talking about ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May 2025, he said the US emerged as the credible arbiter of peace and stability in South Asia.
He thanked US President Trump for facilitating ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
"We are committed to sustaining the ceasefire unlike our neighbour. We believe in peace and we never escalated as the first mover and we only acted in self-defence according to the United Nations charter," he explained.
He said Pakistan's relationship with the United States was enduring, wide ranging and evolving.
"It has proved to be a consequential partnership whenever the two countries converged on global issues. We are encouraged by the upward trajectory in our bilateral partnership since President Trump assumed office."
He said he held a very productive meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the two sides agreed on our shared commitment to deepen and broaden relations between Pakistan and the United States.
"Our nations are coming closer and we have already made progress in relations in the span of six months."
He recalled that in his joint address to the Congress, President Trump recognized Pakistan's vital assistance in battling global terrorism.
He said the world was changing at a rapid pace and old certainties were giving way to the new realities.
Pakistan believed in peace through resilience and responsibility, he stressed adding Pakistan was a youthful nation of 240 million people, fifth largest in the world and a nuclear power.
He said, "We are peace seeking and peace loving nation and stability in South Asia is vital for us and for the world."
Pakistan believed in the paradigm of peace through strength and dialogue to resolve issues, he said adding Pakistan has taken tough decisions to surmount certain challenges to its economy.
"We concluded the successful IMF programme in pursuit of structural and macroeconomic reforms," he apprised.
"Recent improvements in macroeconomic indicators are evident by the improvement in current account balance, declining inflation and rebuilding of foreign exchange reserves," he informed.
He said terrorism remained a challenge for Pakistan and the government was fighting back.
"Democracy in Pakistan is not only functioning but thriving and the government is committed to human development with substantial investments in health, skill development and social protection," he noted.
The DPM said. "In the realm of governance and political reform we remain committed to deepening rule of law, freedom of expression and pluralism, the values we share with the American people."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan makes peace overture to India
DPM Ishaq Dar addressing international conference on 'Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution' at UN on Monday. Photo : Listen to article In a renewed bid for regional peace, Pakistan on Tuesday extended an olive branch to India, offering to resume comprehensive talks to resolve all outstanding disputes between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, including the decades-old Kashmir issue. Speaking at a news conference in New York, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as the country's foreign minister, reiterated Pakistan's willingness for "composite dialogue," emphasizing that any future engagement must go beyond the issue of terrorism. "Pakistan has itself been one of the biggest victims of terrorism," Dar said, adding that the offer was made in good faith and with the aim of achieving durable peace in South Asia. The foreign minister asserted that there could not be lasting peace in the region without resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said even US President Donald Trump had repeatedly acknowledged the importance of the issue. Dar's comments came after his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During the meeting, both leaders discussed regional security and Pakistan's contributions to the global war on terror. "Secretary Rubio recognized Pakistan's sacrifices," Dar said. On the Indus Waters Treaty, he reaffirmed Islamabad's position that the agreement is legally binding and cannot be altered unilaterally. He warned that any attempts by India to divert or block Pakistan's share of river waters would be unacceptable. In response to a question on Israel, he made it clear that Pakistan has no plans to establish diplomatic ties with Tel Aviv. He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and reiterated Pakistan's support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital. Earlier in the day, the foreign minister addressed the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and Implementation of the Two-State Solution. In a strongly-worded speech, he condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and called for urgent international intervention. "For over 75 years, the Palestinian people have endured occupation, displacement and denial of their fundamental rights," Dar said. "Gaza is now a graveyard of international law." He cited the killing of over 58,000 Palestinians — mostly women and children — as a "grave breach of international humanitarian law" and called for accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity. "This collective punishment must stop now," he declared. Dar outlined Pakistan's key demands that include an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire across Gaza and all occupied Palestinian territories, full and unimpeded humanitarian access, political and financial reinforcement for UNRWA and end to Israeli impunity through international accountability mechanisms and a genuine and irreversible political process toward a two-state solution. He welcomed France's recent decision to recognize Palestine and urged other nations to follow suit. He also supported the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) proposal for an international protection mechanism for Palestinians and pledged to contribute technical and institutional assistance in areas like public health, education, and governance. "The occupation must end and end now," he demanded. "The best guarantee for lasting peace is freedom, self-determination, and full UN membership for Palestine."
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
SBP bought $7.2b from Jun'24-Apr'25
Listen to article The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) purchased $7.2 billion from the inter-bank market between June 2024 and April 2025, according to data compiled by Taurus Securities Limited. This substantial intervention reflects the central bank's strategy to rebuild foreign exchange reserves and ensure macroeconomic stability amid an International Monetary Fund (IMF)-supported economic reform programme. The monthly data shows strong buying in late 2024, peaking in November with $1.15 billion, followed by $1.02 billion in October and $946 million in September. Activity eased in early 2025, with only $154 million in January, $223 million in February, a rebound to $860 million in March, and a drop to $473 million in April. This accumulation of dollars helped SBP reserves rise from $13.5 billion in June 2024 to nearly $16.5 billion in November 2024. However, reserves started falling from December and settled at around $14.5 billion by April 2025, likely due to debt repayments or weaker net financial inflows. The business community has raised serious concerns over the exchange rate, alleging that the rupee is being held at an artificially strong level. SBP remains the largest dollar buyer, keeping demand high and the rupee undervalued. Rising imports and declining exports have worsened the imbalance. The Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) claimed that the dollar's actual market value should be closer to Rs260, while it is currently around Rs283. "The dollar is being controlled through artificial means. The prime minister must take immediate notice," the Forum said in a statement. PBF Chief Organiser Ahmad Jawad said Pakistan's policies have historically failed to restore the rupee after depreciation. "Unfortunately, whenever the rupee has fallen, it has never been brought back to its previous strength," he noted. He warned the economy cannot operate sustainably at Rs283 per dollar, warning that meaningful relief will only be possible through a stronger rupee. Meanwhile, the rupee appreciated by Rs1.92 against the US dollar over the last five trading sessions. It closed at Rs283.05 on July 29, compared t to 283.21 on July 28, a 0.06% gain, according to SBP data compiled by AKD Research. Gold prices in Pakistan also declined on Tuesday, tracking a cautious tone in the international market as investors awaited key developments, including US-China trade talks and the upcoming US Federal Reserve policy decision. According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), per tola gold fell by Rs1,600 to Rs354,700, while 10-gram gold dropped by Rs1,372 to Rs304,098. The decline followed a Rs100 fall on Monday. Global prices remained steady with traders adopting a wait-and-see approach ahead of major economic signals that could influence monetary policy and global risk sentiment.
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Footballer Maha highlights Gaza's plea for aid
Palestinian footballer and referee Maha Mohamad Shabat calls for the end of the humanitarian blockade of Gaza as she looks for food and basic amenities needed to survive amid the genocide carried out by Israel. Maha has been working with local schools and on the grassroots level. However, the devastation from daily attacks and lack of food has not only caused deaths of numerous family members but also of her students, fellow footballers, and colleagues. Before October 7, Maha had been an active part of the football community in the Gaza Strip, where she worked as a referee in matches organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other foundations and institutions. "Words fall short of the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," she told this correspondent as she was looking for help and describing the conditions in western Gaza, where she has taken shelter at a school. "The sacrifices and cries of the people of Gaza are a trust we will never relinquish. The free people of Gaza endure what mountains have been unable to bear and nations have been unable to bear." Maha and her family have been displaced since October 2023, when their family home in Beit Hanoun was destroyed by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). The IOF has taken control of her family's land and property, and access to it is prohibited. Despite the genocide and war that Maha has been facing for over 801 days, they have been down to starvation since March 2, when Israel totally blocked all humanitarian aid, especially food and milk supplements, which has caused artificial famine in Gaza. Access to clean water to drink and food is becoming increasingly difficult, and when the Gazans go to Israeli/US-controlled aid points to collect food, they get killed and attacked. Apart from food, diseases are spreading rapidly because of the lack of basic water and amenities. Maha explained that the children and the elderly are the most vulnerable. "I love children, and I am very sad that I could not help these poor children who are deprived of everything from their future, education, and toys. Why don't the school queue become an alternative to the morning school queue? And transport water from distances of meters. And it goes up to the third and sixth floors of the school so that it can get water for drinking and washing," she explained. "Even cleaning tools are difficult to buy. This is why we have widespread childhood diseases such as lice, measles, hepatitis, meningitis, and some other diseases." Maha said that a kilogram of flour is sold for $50, and the hyper-inflation is adding to further devastation and deaths. "Oh, what can I say about our situation in Gaza? Frankly, I am speechless. On this night, we are shaking from the sound of explosions, missiles, and loud bombing. We were not even able to sleep, neither we nor our children," she further added. "We have children whose fathers are in the war, and they don't have diapers or milk. Their mothers are breastfeeding. There is no healthy food or even enough food to keep them awake while breastfeeding. Honestly, I don't know what I mean. I'm talking about the tents in the streets of Gaza City and the dust surrounding them, or about the displacement inside the shelter school. In the universities, more than 7 families sleep inside a single 4x4 classroom. It's divided between boys and girls. Each family consists of at least 5 members. There are also extended families. The weather is so hot, we can't breathe. It's not that hot."
