Latest news with #IshaqDar


Arab News
an hour ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistani FM in Istanbul to demand Iran-Israel ceasefire at this week's OIC meeting
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul on Friday to attend the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, his office said, as Israel and Iran continue to engage in military conflict while the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates. The 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers is expected to focus on coordinated efforts to de-escalate tensions between Iran and Israel, the two regional rivals, along with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The meeting comes at a time when Middle East tensions are high, with Iran and Israel trading missiles and strikes for seven days now. Pakistan has condemned Israel for launching a surprise attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and military leadership last Friday, calling for peace and diplomacy to resolve the issue. 'Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, arrived in Istanbul to participate in the 51st Session of the Council of the Foreign Minister (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being held on 21-22 June 2025 and to attend the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum award ceremony where President Erdogan will be honored,' the Foreign Office said in a press release. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, arrived in Istanbul to participate in the 51st Session of the Council of the Foreign Minister (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being held on 21-22 June 2025 and to attend the… — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 20, 2025 The Pakistani foreign office said Dar was received by Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkiye, Dr. Yousaf Junaid, Consul General Nauman Aslam and the representatives of the Turkish ministry of foreign affairs. 'During the plenary session, the DPM/FM will share Pakistan's perspective on the developments in South Asia following the ceasefire arrangement between Pakistan and India and the situation in the Middle East after Israel's recent aggression against Iran and other regional states,' the foreign office spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, said in a statement on Thursday. He added that Dar would advocate for peace in the Middle East and highlight the need for humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza during the meeting on June 21 and 22. Beyond the Middle East, Dar is also expected to address broader issues of concern to the Muslim world, urging the international community to 'combat the escalating tide of Islamophobia' by addressing rising extremism and militancy, as well as the growing threat of climate change. He will also reaffirm Pakistan's commitment to the principles and objectives of the OIC in addressing challenges faced by Muslim nations globally. Dar, who also holds the portfolio of foreign minister, is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other OIC member states on the sidelines of the conference. The high-level meeting is taking place amid media reports that the United States is weighing options, including potentially joining Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.


India Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
PM Modi slams RJD, Congress for dynastic politics at Bihar rally
39:42 Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has admitted that India struck two key airbases, Noor Khan in Rawalpindi and Shaukat, during Operation Sindoor. He revealed the attack came just as Pakistan was preparing a counterstrike, suggesting India acted first and took them by surprise. This acknowledgement contradicts Pakistan's earlier claims of success in the recent India-Pakistan escalation.


India Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Axiom-4 launch delayed again; White House on Trump's possible negotiations with Iran
6:04 Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that India attacked two important airbases in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The strikes hit Noor Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi and Shaukat Airbase. Dar revealed that the attack occurred just as Pakistan was preparing to strike back, indicating India acted faster and caught them off guard. This admission contradicts Pakistan's earlier claims of victory in the recent escalation between the two countries.


Arab News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan deputy PM arrives in Istanbul for OIC session amid Iran-Israel conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul on Friday to attend the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, his office said, as Israel and Iran continue to engage in military conflict while the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates. The 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers is expected to focus on coordinated efforts to de-escalate tensions between Iran and Israel, the two regional rivals, along with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The meeting comes at a time when Middle East tensions are high, with Iran and Israel trading missiles and strikes for seven days now. Pakistan has condemned Israel for launching a surprise attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and military leadership last Friday, calling for peace and diplomacy to resolve the issue. 'Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, arrived in Istanbul to participate in the 51st Session of the Council of the Foreign Minister (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being held on 21-22 June 2025 and to attend the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum award ceremony where President Erdogan will be honored,' the Foreign Office said in a press release. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, arrived in Istanbul to participate in the 51st Session of the Council of the Foreign Minister (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being held on 21-22 June 2025 and to attend the… — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 20, 2025 The Pakistani foreign office said Dar was received by Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkiye, Dr. Yousaf Junaid, Consul General Nauman Aslam and the Turkish ministry of foreign affairs representatives. 'During the plenary session, the DPM/FM will share Pakistan's perspective on the developments in South Asia following the ceasefire arrangement between Pakistan and India and the situation in the Middle East after Israel's recent aggression against Iran and other regional states,' the foreign office spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, said in a statement on Thursday. He added that Dar would advocate for peace in the Middle East and highlight the need for humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza during the meeting on June 21 and 22. Beyond the Middle East, Dar is also expected to address broader issues of concern to the Muslim world, urging the international community to 'combat the escalating tide of Islamophobia' by addressing rising extremism and militancy, as well as the growing threat of climate change. He will also reaffirm Pakistan's commitment to the principles and objectives of the OIC in addressing challenges faced by Muslim nations globally. Dar, who also holds the portfolio of foreign minister, is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other OIC member states on the sidelines of the conference. The high-level meeting is taking place amid media reports that the United States is weighing options, including potentially joining Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.


Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
India's strike on air bases forced Pakistan to request ceasefire, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar admits
In a rare and open admission, Pakistan's deputy prime minister, Ishaq Dar, confirmed that it was Islamabad that requested a ceasefire after two of their key air bases were hit by India. While speaking on a television news show, Dar clearly stated that India struck Nur Khan and Shorkot air bases in Rawalpindi and Punjab province as part of Operation Sindoor, which was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. "Unfortunately, India once again launched missile strikes at 2:30 AM. They attacked the Nur Khan Air Base and Shorkot Air Base. Within 45 minutes, Saudi Prince Faisal called me. He said he had just learnt about my conversation with (US Secretary of State) Marco Rubio. He asked if he was authorised to talk to (India's External Affairs Minister) S Jaishankar and convey that we are ready if they (India) stop. I said yes, brother, you can. He then called me back, saying he had conveyed the same to Jaishankar," Dar can be heard saying in a now-viral video. Earlier, Islamabad admitted that its jet indeed suffered damage due to the Indian armed forces' attack. Addressing a press conference, Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry claimed that 'only one aircraft' of Pakistan suffered 'minor damage', without providing details about the aircraft, reported PTI. However, an Indian Air Force officer, Air Marshal AK Bharti, director general of air operations, said on Sunday that India shot down a few high-tech fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force during Operation Sindoor. He indicated that there were combat losses on the Indian side, too, but the fighter pilots were back home. About two weeks after the April 22 terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.