Pakistan will defend its sovereignty at all costs: Ishaq Dar
Kashmir an internationally recognized dispute; UN resolutions must be implemented
Doha: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has declared that Pakistan, as a responsible nuclear power, will defend its sovereignty at any cost, regardless of the aggressor.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a wide-ranging interview with Al Jazeera in Doha, Dar condemned the recent Israeli airstrike on Qatar, calling it a grave violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the sovereignty of Muslim nations. He warned that if the Muslim world continues to respond with mere statements, its leadership risks losing credibility in the eyes of the two billion Muslims it represents.
Dar said Israel has become an uncontrollable state, violating the sovereignty of Muslim country one after another — from Lebanon, Syria, Iran, to now Qatar. He asserted that Qatar was involved in peace negotiations, mediated by the US and Egypt, at the time of the attack, suggesting the strike was s deliberated attempt to derail diplomacy.
Referring to the meeting of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dar emphasized that the time for resolutions alone have passed. “A clear and actionable roadmap is needed. If Israel doesn’t stop its aggression, we must be prepared with meaningful steps,” he said. He confirmed that Pakistan, alongside Somalia and Algeria, has already requested a special session of the UN Security Council and activated the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Reiterating Pakistan’s long-standing commitment to peace and diplomacy, Dar emphasized that military action remains a last resort. However, he said if diplomatic channels fail, practical actions like economic sanctions, legal measures, or the creation of a regional security force must be considered.
On Pakistan’s nuclear capability, he clarified: “Our nuclear arsenal is solely for defensive purposes. We’ve never used it and have no intention to. But if our sovereignty is threatened, we will defend ourselves — regardless of who the attacker is.”
Ishaq Dar dismissed the comparison of Israel’s attack on Qatar to the US operation against Osama bin Laden as a failed attempt to divert attention, stating, “The world knows what that operation really was.” He added that Pakistan itself has been the biggest victim and key stakeholder in the fight against terrorism.
On the Kashmir issue, Dar reaffirmed that it is an internationally recognized dispute, with multiple UN Security Council resolutions supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. He slammed India’s unilateral revocation of Article 370 and the subsequent annexation of Jammu and Kashmir as clear violations of international law. He also warned against India’s threats to revoke the Indus Waters Treaty, saying any such move would be considered an act of war. “Pakistan sees this as a core national security issue. There can be no compromise,” he asserted.
Dar highlighted the recent border clashes between May 7 and 10, stating that Pakistan demonstrated clear defensive superiority. “India’s claims of regional dominance were effectively neutralized,” he said.
Regarding Afghanistan, Dar noted some progress in bilateral trade and infrastructure, including railway projects. However, he called the continued presence of TTP, BLA, and Majid Brigade elements in Afghanistan “unacceptable,” and urged the Taliban-led government to either expel or hand them over.
Dar criticized the global inaction on long-standing conflicts like Palestine and Kashmir, warning that if UN resolutions continue to be ignored, the organization’s credibility will erode further. He called for structural reforms within the UN Security Council and strict enforcement of its decisions.
Concluding the interview, Dar called for an unconditional and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and for unhindered humanitarian aid to reach civilians. “Every minute matters. Every life matters. The world must act now,” he urged.
