Dar urges C'wealth to resolve state disputes

Asks grouping's chief to press for respect of international law

ISLAMABAD:

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday urged the Commonwealth to play its role in the resolution of outstanding disputes among the member states and press for the respect of international law and implementation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Dar was speaking at a news conference along with Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, who is on a 5-day visit to Pakistan.

The Commonwealth represents former British colonies and the visit of its chief is aimed at seeking greater cooperation with Pakistan on a range of issues from climate crisis to youth and other matters.

Scotland was impressed with Pakistan's "resilience and determination" in the face of challenges faced by the country including devastating floods in the last two years.

Dar said Pakistan attaches great importance to the Commonwealth and its institutions saying it is an important platform for forging consensus and developing partnerships in the face of unprecedented global challenges.

The deputy prime minister said the Commonwealth should call for the resolution of outstanding disputes among member states with greater urgency and press for the respect of international law and implementation of UN Security Council resolutions.

The foreign minister said Pakistan's vision of regional connectivity and trade matches with the Commonwealth connectivity agenda.

He said Pakistan sees vast opportunities for collaboration with the Commonwealth in realising development goals, particularly in education, skill development, youth and women empowerment, health and environmental perseveration.

He said Pakistan supports the Commonwealth target of increasing intra-Commonwealth trade to two trillion dollars by 2030. He said this would not only provide job opportunities to the youth but also create conditions for win-win cooperation among the member states.

Ishaq Dar said he briefed the Commonwealth secretary-general about Pakistan's policies to combat climate change. He said Pakistan will work with the Commonwealth in developing resilience against climate-induced disasters.

Speaking on the occasion, the Commonwealth secretary general was appreciative of the resilience and determination exhibited by Pakistan in the wake of the 2022 floods. She said the commonwealth stood in solidarity with the Pakistani people during those difficult times.

A statement issued by the foreign office said the Deputy Prime Minister thanked secretary-general Scotland for her climate advocacy on behalf of Pakistan following the 2022 floods that submerged two-thirds of Pakistan's territory and inflicted economic losses of over US$30 billion.

He appreciated the appointment of a dedicated Climate Finance Advisor for Pakistan by the Commonwealth to support Pakistan's efforts to build climate resilience and disaster preparedness.

The deputy prime minister and the secretary general also discussed matters related to women's empowerment and youth participation in Pakistan's development economy through education and training programmes.