Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday. The call came as a follow-up to their earlier meeting in Washington last Friday. Both sides discussed key topics, including tariffs, trade relations, and important regional and global issues.
During his visit to Washington, Ishaq Dar said Pakistan and the United States are “very close” to finalizing a trade deal. He expressed optimism that the agreement could be reached within days, not weeks. “Our teams have been actively engaged, and a committee under the Prime Minister has been working to finalize the details,” Dar said during a session at the Atlantic Council.
However, while the US State Department and Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the meeting between Dar and Rubio, neither side mentioned a specific timeline for the trade agreement. Instead, both parties stressed the importance of deepening trade relations, especially in sectors like critical minerals and mining.
Ishaq Dar also thanked former US President Donald Trump and Senator Rubio for what he described as their key role in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan earlier this year. He said their efforts helped facilitate the ceasefire announced in May following deadly clashes between the two neighboring countries. Although Pakistan highlighted US involvement in calming tensions, India has denied any third-party role, insisting that all issues between New Delhi and Islamabad should be resolved bilaterally.
The recent violence began after a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22 killed 26 people. This led to a sharp rise in hostilities, with both countries engaging in cross-border strikes before a ceasefire was declared on May 10. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge Pakistan strongly denied, calling instead for a neutral investigation. The US condemned the attack but did not assign blame to either side.
Separately, Ishaq Dar also spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The two leaders discussed the ongoing crisis in Gaza and strongly condemned Israel’s military actions. They raised serious concerns over the worsening humanitarian conditions, including starvation, forced displacement, and the deaths of innocent people.
Both ministers called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urged the global community to allow unrestricted humanitarian aid. They reaffirmed their strong support for the Palestinian people and welcomed the international conference at the United Nations aimed at pushing forward a two-state solution.
Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan remains committed to peace, regional stability, and justice for oppressed communities worldwide.
