Ch. Ahsan Iqbal Sb, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Federal Ministers & Colleagues

Members of the Parliament,Excellencies,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Experts, Panelists Distinguished audience, Media Friends

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalam o Alaikum!

1. I am pleased to address this august forum. Sincere congratulations to the hosts, the Ministry of Planning, on successfully organizing this important event.

2. Bringing together policymakers, experts, and practitioners to deliberate on the future of governance in Pakistan is a vital national service that deserves deep appreciation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. Let me begin by appreciating and commending the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose guidance has been central to Pakistan’s foreign policy achievements. Under his direction, we have strengthened our strategic partnerships, advanced economic diplomacy, and enhanced our diplomatic role on the global stage. His busy schedule over the past 10 days alone reflects his active and personal engagement in advancing Pakistan’s interests at the highest level internationally.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

4. We are passing through an eventful phase in the history of international relations, where norms, institutions, alliances, and long-held concepts of economic interdependence and global governance are being revisited.

5. The rules that underpinned the international order since World War II are in flux and rapid transformation. The emerging trends are multipolarity, mini-lateralism, and mounting geopolitical contestation.

6. The new landscape presents challenges as well as opportunities. And I am glad to share that Pakistan’s foreign policy is fully equipped to respond to these new realities and has risen to the occasion.

7. Pakistan foundational and top priority remains the same: the security of our people and the sanctity of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

8. We are acutely aware of the challenges from our neighborhood. Persistent provocations and belligerent posturing from our eastern neighbor, and cross-border terrorism emanating from across our western border, have not diminished our commitment to peace, dialogue, and diplomacy.

9. At the heart of regional instability lies the unresolved dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan remains unwavering in its principled position that a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the inalienable right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination, is indispensable for lasting peace in South Asia. We have consistently called for the reversal of the unilateral and illegal measures of 5 August 2019 and all subsequent actions aimed at altering the demographic and legal status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Respect for international law and fulfillment of international commitments are essential for sustainable regional stability and peace.

10. Whilst reiterating our commitment to peace and harmony, let me underscore that we possess the will as well as the capability to defend ourselves decisively against any act of aggression. Our people and armed forces made a historic display of their iron will and determination in the face of Indian aggression in May 2025. Our calibrated and measured military response, together with skillful diplomacy, earned us worldwide acclaim and respect. The world has since increasingly viewed Pakistan as a reliable, responsible, and important partner in the regional and international architecture.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

11. The international order now places a premium on ‘strategic bilateralism and mini-lateralism’, where states are forging targeted cooperation for shared interests. Pakistan has responded to this evolving trend with a renewed focus on fostering ‘tailored cooperation’ with our partner countries in priority sectors.

12. This approach is exemplified by our parallel, nuanced, and mutually beneficial relationships with major powers. With China, our all-weather partnership continues to deepen through CPEC 2.0, robust strategic dialogue, and unwavering mutual support on core interests. I conducted the latest round of the Strategic Dialogue in January 2026 in Beijing with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where we reaffirmed our strategic convergence on key issues. These include Afghanistan, Jammu & Kashmir, and transboundary water security. We also agreed on cooperation in counterterrorism and broader regional security.

13. Simultaneously, we have reinvigorated our partnership with the United States, transcending the traditional security paradigm to advance cooperation in trade, technology, investment, and regional stability. This calibrated approach has enhanced our ability to navigate complexity with skill and confidence, ensuring that our national interests are served without compromising our core foreign policy principles. The productive visits of our Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Washington, and my frequent interactions with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have also contributed to recent

14. We have also reinforced our bilateral and mini-lateral partnerships across the wider region. In South Asia, we have successfully transformed our fraternal ties with Bangladesh into a substantive partnership. Similarly, the trilateral mechanism involving China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh has been launched with a view to expanding and deepening regional cooperation and synergy.

15. In the Middle East, our landmark Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia has elevated our brotherly ties to new heights. Reinforced partnerships with the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Egypt and Bahrain have also yielded concrete agreements in investment, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy.

16. Our leadership-level diplomacy can also be witnessed with Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and the Central Asian States. In recent months, the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan have undertaken historic visits to Pakistan, marking a new trajectory to boost solidarity and cooperation. Notably, our brotherly ties with Azerbaijan and Türkiye have been further reinforced with the launch of a leadership-level trilateral mechanism.

17. Simultaneously, our Vision East Asia Policy has ramped up engagement with ASEAN members, with high-level visits of Malaysian Prime Minister and the Indonesian President to Pakistan and our Prime Minister visit to Malaysia have marked significant milestones.

18. Our enduring bonds with Islamic and Arab nations form a vital pillar of our foreign policy, and we will continue to expand our partnerships across Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

19. Let me take a moment to emphasize the role of personalized, high-level diplomacy in advancing Pakistan’s foreign policy objectives. In an era where instant communication and rapidly evolving crises demand immediate attention, my frequent telephone conversations and direct engagements with my counterparts across the world have proven immensely useful. These interactions have supported the rapid de-escalation of tensions, fostered deeper trust with partner countries, and enabled the exploration of creative ideas for mutual cooperation. I am, therefore, a strong proponent of ministerial-level engagements and maintaining personal contacts as critical enablers to accomplish our foreign policy goals and objectives.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Pakistan at multilateral forums

20. Pakistan’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025 and 2026 term with a thumping majority vote of 182 Vs 5 is a testament to our constructive diplomacy and the confidence of the global community in our principled stance on issues of peace and security. Since assuming this role, Pakistan has raised critical challenges on the Council’s agenda, advocating for peaceful resolution of conflicts, adherence to international law including UN Charter, and protection of civilians. We have consistently used our platform to advance shared priorities, ranging from counterterrorism to equitable development. This reflects our unwavering commitment to a fair and responsible international order that promotes justice, stability, and prosperity for all nations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

21. Pakistan has actively used all platforms, including the United Nations Security Council, to address the grave situation in Gaza. In continuing support of practical peace efforts, Pakistan joined the Board of Peace alongside seven other Arab and Islamic countries to call for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and protection of civilians. At its inaugural session in Washington last week, these priorities were further emphasized in seeking concrete steps to stop the suffering, expand humanitarian assistance, and support reconstruction efforts. Pakistan has consistently advocated for a just and durable two‑state solution, reaffirming the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of a sovereign and contiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital. We remain committed to human dignity and to our belief in collaborative, multilateral diplomacy to achieve peace and stability in the region.

22. With regard to ongoing developments concerning Iran, Pakistan is a key stakeholder as a neighbor and brotherly country. We are committed to playing a constructive role in defusing tensions, including through high-level diplomacy. I have personally spoken to U.S. Secretary Rubio and Iranian FM Araghchi on numerous occasions in recent months, advocating diplomacy, dialogue, flexibility, and the imperative of a compromise solution. We will continue to work with all concerned parties to promote a peaceful settlement of issues and strengthen regional peace and security.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

23. Economic diplomacy occupies a central place in our Government’s foreign policy calculus. Pakistan’s diplomatic outlook is profoundly oriented toward the economic well-being of our people. Partnerships in high-value manufacturing, information technology services, mineral resources, agro-processing, and the halal food sector are now at the core of our engagement with regional and international partners.

24. Furthermore, the Foreign Ministry has employed a ‘whole-of-government approach’ to advance our foreign policy priorities. We have worked to strengthen our institutional coordination with the Ministries of Planning, Commerce, Finance, and other relevant ministries, as well as the SIFC, ensuring that our diplomatic efforts are backed by a comprehensive national strategy.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

25. Climate change remains an existential threat and a defining challenge of our time. Pakistan stands on the frontlines of climate vulnerability, despite contributing minimally to global emissions. Pakistan is among the top ten most climate-vulnerable countries and has been actively engaged in multilateral climate action under frameworks such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, advocating globally for climate finance, loss and damage funding, and enhanced adaptation support. During our two years tenure in the UNSC, we will continue to highlight the critical nexus between climate change and international peace and security, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions. For Pakistan, climate action is not only an environmental necessity but a strategic imperative for economic resilience, human security, and sustainable development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

26. In the end, let me reiterate that Pakistan’s approach to navigating international relations in a complex and evolving world will remain anchored in:

• Protecting our core national interests through peaceful means, meaningful dialogue, and engagement to address all issues;

• Expanding economic and strategic partnerships through a whole-of-government effort;

• Leveraging personal and leadership-level diplomacy in the service of our people and beloved country.

Pakistan Zindabad !

I thank you!

Islamabad

25 February 2026