Ishaq Dar arrives in New York for key UNGA engagements

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has arrived in New York to attend the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar reached New York on Monday and was received by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Consul General Aamer Ahmed Atozai and other officials.

Dar is scheduled to remain in New York from September 21 to 25. He is expected to take part in a series of high-level meetings and ministerial forums during the UNGA session.

The foreign minister will accompany Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during several engagements. He will also hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and other counterparts on the sidelines of the UN gathering.

According to the Foreign Office, Dar will discuss a range of bilateral, regional and international issues. He is also expected to present Pakistan’s position on matters considered important to the country.

Kashmir will be among the key issues on his agenda. Dar will participate in a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, where he is expected to reiterate Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir dispute and the right to self-determination.

He will also attend several OIC ministerial meetings, including the annual coordination meeting of OIC foreign ministers and other Contact Group sessions.

The situation in Palestine will also feature prominently in Dar’s engagements. He is scheduled to participate in a meeting of eight Arab and Islamic countries as well as a high-level ministerial meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.

Dar will also attend a high-level UN Security Council briefing focused on artificial intelligence. Another meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response is also included in his schedule.

In addition, the foreign minister will chair a meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organisation Council of Ministers.

During his stay in New York, Dar is expected to hold bilateral discussions with counterparts from several countries. The meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss regional developments, international cooperation and Pakistan’s diplomatic priorities.

The Foreign Office said Dar’s engagements would also focus on Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional and international peace and stability.