ISLAMABAD/NEW YORK: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable development, announcing a target of 60% renewable energy by 2030 during his address at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York.
Speaking at the General Debate of the Ministerial Segment, Dar emphasized that Pakistan’s development strategies, including the Uraan Pakistan initiative, are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He cited climate challenges, pandemic impacts, and global economic crises as factors that have reversed development gains, but reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to stay the course on the 2030 Agenda.
Highlighting Pakistan’s climate resilience measures, Dar referred to the Living Indus and Recharge Pakistan initiatives, and praised the Benazir Income Support Programme as a key social safety net. He also underscored the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in aligning foreign investment with sustainable growth sectors.
Dar advocated for deep reform of the international financial system, calling for debt relief, scaled-up concessional financing, and increased climate finance for developing nations.
In a separate meeting, Dar met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism and the UN Charter. He raised key regional concerns, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, and externally sponsored terrorism.
Dar also reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm support for Palestinian statehood and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He welcomed the UN’s appointment of a special envoy on Islamophobia, expressing Pakistan’s readiness to support global efforts against religious intolerance.
As part of Pakistan’s presidency of the UN Security Council in July 2025, Dar is leading high-level engagements on Palestine, UN-OIC cooperation, and peaceful dispute resolution, and will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his visit.
Story by Abdullah Momand | Dawn.com
