NEW DELHI: Ishaq Dar, a former finance minister who has served four times, has been appointed as Pakistan‘s foreign minister. This comes as the new government settles in and faces various challenges on the domestic and external fronts, including its relations with India and other neighboring countries. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has completed the formation of his Cabinet by inducting 19 members, bringing an end to the long wait.
Dar, an ethnic Kashmiri and a chartered accountant by profession, is a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and a trusted confidant of party head and former three-time premier Nawaz Sharif.Despite having limited experience in managing foreign affairs, he has been given the crucial portfolio at a time when Pakistan’s relations with India and Afghanistan are at their lowest point.
The trade ties between Pakistan and India were severed in August 2019 when India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divided the state into two Union Territories. This decision led to a halt in trade between the two countries, causing Pakistan to suffer as it used to import several items and raw materials at lower rates from India.
Dar, known for his expertise in economics, has advocated for maintaining economic relations with India. However, due to the Kashmir issue, this has not been possible. His stance on Kashmir aligns with Pakistan’s general narrative, which calls for the resolution of the issue in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. On Kashmir Solidarity Day, Dar tweeted that Pakistan remains committed to supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, as recognized by the UN Charter and relevant resolutions.
India, on the other hand, has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country. While expressing a desire for normal neighborly relations, India has emphasised the need for an environment free from terrorism, hostility, and violence. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated this stance, highlighting the importance of addressing the issue of terrorism in any conversation with Pakistan.
In addition to Dar’s appointment, other ministers have also been assigned various portfolios. Khawaja Muhammad Asif has been appointed as the minister for defense, defense production, and aviation. Ahsan Iqbal will serve as the minister for planning, development, and special initiatives. Azam Nazeer Tarar has been assigned the portfolio of law and justice, as well as human rights. Attaullah Tarar will be the minister of information and broadcasting. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh will serve as the minister for maritime affairs, while Muhammad Aurangzeb has been appointed as the minister of finance and revenue. Shaza Fatima Khawaja has been appointed as the minister of state, making her the only woman minister in the cabinet.
This completes the formation of the new government’s cabinet, and it remains to be seen how the ministers will navigate the challenges ahead, particularly in relation to Pakistan’s foreign affairs and its neighbors.
Dar, an ethnic Kashmiri and a chartered accountant by profession, is a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and a trusted confidant of party head and former three-time premier Nawaz Sharif.Despite having limited experience in managing foreign affairs, he has been given the crucial portfolio at a time when Pakistan’s relations with India and Afghanistan are at their lowest point.
The trade ties between Pakistan and India were severed in August 2019 when India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divided the state into two Union Territories. This decision led to a halt in trade between the two countries, causing Pakistan to suffer as it used to import several items and raw materials at lower rates from India.
Dar, known for his expertise in economics, has advocated for maintaining economic relations with India. However, due to the Kashmir issue, this has not been possible. His stance on Kashmir aligns with Pakistan’s general narrative, which calls for the resolution of the issue in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. On Kashmir Solidarity Day, Dar tweeted that Pakistan remains committed to supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, as recognized by the UN Charter and relevant resolutions.
India, on the other hand, has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country. While expressing a desire for normal neighborly relations, India has emphasised the need for an environment free from terrorism, hostility, and violence. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated this stance, highlighting the importance of addressing the issue of terrorism in any conversation with Pakistan.
In addition to Dar’s appointment, other ministers have also been assigned various portfolios. Khawaja Muhammad Asif has been appointed as the minister for defense, defense production, and aviation. Ahsan Iqbal will serve as the minister for planning, development, and special initiatives. Azam Nazeer Tarar has been assigned the portfolio of law and justice, as well as human rights. Attaullah Tarar will be the minister of information and broadcasting. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh will serve as the minister for maritime affairs, while Muhammad Aurangzeb has been appointed as the minister of finance and revenue. Shaza Fatima Khawaja has been appointed as the minister of state, making her the only woman minister in the cabinet.
This completes the formation of the new government’s cabinet, and it remains to be seen how the ministers will navigate the challenges ahead, particularly in relation to Pakistan’s foreign affairs and its neighbors.