Dar urges Pakistani-Americans to invest in Pakistan during New York event

NEW YORK: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has told Pakistani-Americans that Pakistan’s economic outlook is improving and invited them to invest in the country, according to a transcript of his speech released by the Foreign Office on Thursday.

Dar made the remarks while addressing an Eidul Azha dinner for leaders of the Pakistani-American community in New York. The Foreign Office said he had arrived in the city two days earlier to attend a high-level meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

According to the Foreign Office, Dar said the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had guided the country out of a period of serious economic difficulty and towards stability. He pointed to lower inflation, better credit ratings, a stronger external account and growing investor confidence as signs of what he described as a positive economic direction.

The deputy prime minister also said the government was pursuing an export-led growth strategy aimed at earning foreign exchange, creating jobs and linking Pakistan more firmly with the global economy and international supply chains. The Foreign Office said he described the diaspora as a major national strength in advocacy, investment and people-to-people ties with the United States.

In that context, Dar called on overseas Pakistanis to deepen their role in the country’s future. The Foreign Office said he invited the Pakistani-American community to honour their roots by investing in Pakistan and becoming partners in its onward journey.

References to May milestones

During the speech, Dar said the month of May carries special importance in Pakistan’s history. He referred to the nuclear tests conducted in May 1998 as well as what he described as Pakistan’s military success against India in the confrontation that began after the April 22 Pahalgam attack last year and continued until a ceasefire on May 10.

Referring to Youm-i-Takbeer, which marks May 28, 1998, when Pakistan carried out atomic tests in Chagai, Balochistan and became a nuclear power, Dar said the country had demonstrated resolve and capability under then prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

"Pakistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, demonstrated national resolve and capability on May 28, 1998, by becoming a nuclear power, thereby earning its rightful place among the nations that determined the course of global security," Dar said, according to the Foreign Office transcript.

The Foreign Office also said Dar highlighted what the state now refers to as Marka-i-Haq, saying Pakistan’s military leadership and people remained steadfast during that period. It added that he praised the unity and resilience shown by both the armed forces and the public.

Peace efforts also highlighted

Dar also spoke about Pakistan’s role in efforts related to peace between the United States and Iran. According to the Foreign Office, he said that under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan was playing an active and constructive part in regional and global peace efforts, reflecting what he described as the country’s maturity, credibility and commitment to international peace and stability.

The Foreign Office said Dar stressed that a country able to defend itself with confidence is also in a position to pursue credible peacemaking. It added that he told the audience Pakistan is a country of significant potential and that its best days lie ahead.