Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday dismissed reports of a meeting between PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and PTI founder Imran Khan, terming them baseless and part of a “sponsored narrative” aimed at sowing political confusion.
Speaking at the annual 982nd ceremonial bathing (ghusl) of the shrine of Hazrat Ali Hujwiri (Data Darbar) in Lahore, the DPM said such sponsored reports are propagated deliberately. “These are all speculations. It must be someone’s wish list as we don’t want to meet anyone.”
The foreign minister said the current government was initially formed with the critical support from the PPP.
“When we started, our numbers were incomplete without them. Now that we have a simple majority, there’s no difficulty, but we will continue cooperating with the PPP even more than before,” he said.
He also ruled out any rift within the ruling coalition, asserting that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had made no demands and remained a committed ally. “The PPP did not demand any portfolio. They are our coalition partners and they supported us at hard time and companions are not left after the passage of trials and tribulations,” “In difficult times, you don’t abandon your partners,” he said, stressing that all coalition parties are working together on a shared economic agenda.
Dar said the law will take its course and the government wants to work in synergy with all parties.
He said the government had no war ambitions or hostility-driven agendas. “We desire peace and stability in the region,” he said, adding that Iran had acknowledged Pakistan as a “true friend”, with chants of “Shukria Pakistan” also echoing in their parliament.
Highlighting the country’s string of recent achievements, Dar noted that the country had been elected as a member of the UN Security Council and had signed a $2 billion agreement with Azerbaijan.
“Inflation has eased, interest rates have dropped from 22% to 11%, and per capita income will now rise,” he claimed.
Dar accused Israel of engaging in terrorism and recalled how even at the funeral of Iran’s military chief, slogans were raised in support of Pakistan. “Iran has acknowledged Pakistan as a sincere friend. We do not seek war; our agenda is peace and regional security.”
The deputy PM praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s relentless efforts, saying they had brought “immense respect” to Pakistan on the global stage.
He reminisced about the original inauguration of Data Darbar’s development by Nawaz Sharif on May 31, 1999, and noted that the shrine’s expansion was now near completion.
On Pakistan-India ties, Dar said that the country responded firmly when provoked. “During the India-Pakistan conflict, all political parties stood united. India started the war, but we brought down six of their aircraft and responded to 80 drone attacks within 36 hours. The ceasefire along the LoC is still intact,” he said.
Commenting on the PDM’s formation, Dar noted that Pakistan was on the brink of default at the time. “If there had been no change, Pakistan would have defaulted. We took bold risks to steer the country back. Our foreign reserves have now reached $14 billion,” he revealed.
Dar also warned of ongoing threats: “Risk is always present; we must remain alert. Thirty militants were sent to hell. On the diplomatic front, talks with Saudi Arabia began seven to eight months ago and will resume on June 24. The general visa process has improved, and we request that Blue Passports be extended to include diplomats, MNAs, MPAs and senior bureaucrats.”
Speaking on local developments, Dar said renovation work at Data Darbar had already begun. “The dome has been elevated, and umbrellas like those in Masjid-e-Nabawi will be installed in the mosque. We hope all work will be completed before the next ceremonial bathing.”
The ghusl ceremony was attended by Provincial Auqaf Minister Shafi Hussain and a large number of devotees.
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