Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has claimed that the government of 2018 made compromises with terrorism, resulting in the return of 35,000 to 40,000 militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to the country.
Speaking to the Pakistani community in New York City (NYC) recently, Dar asserted that these decisions had led to a resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan.
Addressing the current challenges, Dar emphasized that the government had taken tough measures to safeguard the country and revive its struggling economy. “It was not easy to climb out of such a deep economic pit,” he stated, highlighting progress made in recent months. He pointed out that Pakistan had emerged from diplomatic isolation, gained growing international recognition for its economic improvements, and achieved several key milestones, including reducing the policy rate from 22% to 12%, boosting foreign exchange reserves, and increasing exports.
Dar also noted that global rating agencies had acknowledged Pakistan’s economic reforms and reassured that the country’s recovery was now being recognized worldwide.
In a separate address at an OIC meeting in New York, Dar voiced serious concerns over the presence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil, particularly the Khorasan factions that continue to target Pakistan. He affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continuing operations against these terrorist organizations.
Turning to global and regional issues, Dar urged for diplomatic efforts to enforce ceasefire agreements in Gaza and called for an end to Israeli aggression. He reiterated Pakistan’s demand for a resolution to the Kashmir issue in line with UN resolutions.
Dar also stressed the importance of protecting Syria’s sovereignty and expressed alarm over the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Additionally, he raised concerns about Israeli threats to attack Iran, underlining the need to restore the nuclear agreement to ensure stability in the Middle East.
