At a high-profile gathering hosted at the Pakistan Consulate in New York, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar made headlines with a bold statement: Pakistan shot down six Indian fighter aircraft—including four Rafale jets—during a recent confrontation. He hailed the Pakistan Air Force’s swift response as a moment that silenced aggression and rallied the nation behind its armed forces.

Dar praised Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his decisive leadership during the standoff, describing the military’s actions as both necessary and symbolic of Pakistan’s resolve.

Beyond defense, the DPM painted a broader picture of Pakistan’s rising international relevance. “We are no longer diplomatically isolated. Our recent engagements with the United States, China, and other nations reaffirm this,” he said. His meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington was described as “fruitful and forward-looking.”

The Deputy PM also emphasized Pakistan’s economic recovery, noting that inflation has plummeted to 2.4% as of January 2025. He cited the IMF program’s completion and positive indicators from credit rating agencies as signs of growing investor trust. Pakistan is now aiming to join the ranks of G20 nations.

He spotlighted the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as a key instrument in simplifying investment processes and boosting foreign interest in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and mining.

In addition, Dar reaffirmed government efforts to reopen direct PIA flights to New York, a move welcomed by the diaspora. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to seek the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and pledged continued support for the Pakistani-American community.

Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement, including its leadership role in the UN Security Council, underscores its commitment to peace, dialogue, and regional cooperation—particularly with Afghanistan in terms of trade and security assurances.