Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called for stronger unity across the Muslim world, saying global shifts and growing crises demand collective action. Speaking at an international Qur’an recitation event, he cited Gaza, occupied Kashmir, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Qatar as examples of mounting challenges facing Muslim nations.
Dar said the Muslim Ummah is bound by shared faith and values, adding that religious scholars must promote unity since it remains the only durable answer to the community’s problems. He urged participants to stand together, saying no power on earth can harm a united Ummah, which has been blessed with abundant resources.
He reiterated that Islamic teachings reject terrorism and extremism, noting that taking one life is akin to killing all humanity, while saving one life equals saving humanity.
Reviewing Pakistan’s counterterrorism record, Dar said the country crushed terrorism between 2013 and 2017 under Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, but policy mistakes after 2018 led to renewed threats and heavy military sacrifices between 2021 and 2025. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir are now committed to eliminating terrorism again.
Dar welcomed participants from several countries and announced that the international event will take place annually. He advised young attendees to follow the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah and to embrace compassion, tolerance and interfaith harmony.
Calls on Kabul to Stop TTP Activity
Addressing a press conference later in Islamabad, Dar said he made it clear during his visit to Kabul that Afghanistan must ensure its soil is not used against Pakistan. He said he categorically asked Afghan authorities to hand over TTP militants or relocate them far from the border.
He added that his recent engagements strengthened Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach, including separate meetings with Russia’s foreign minister and deputy prime minister, as well as a long-delayed high-level interaction with the European Union’s leadership. Dar said Pakistan and the EU discussed trade, GSP Plus, security, Afghanistan and India, adding that the strategic dialogue helped restore momentum in bilateral ties.
He said he briefed EU officials on attacks originating from Afghan territory and shared details of his talks with Afghan leaders, where Pakistan reiterated its expectations regarding cross-border security and militant groups.
