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Ishaq Dar

The latest news and top stories on Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. A politician and chartered accountant, he assumed his current role in March 2024, with the additional charge of Deputy Prime Minister in April 2024. He has a long career in public service, notably serving four terms as Finance Minister, where he focused on economic stabilisation, fiscal discipline and attracting foreign investment. His responsibilities now include navigating complex international relations, economic diplomacy and addressing regional security concerns. Dar is a prominent figure within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and a close aide to the Sharif family.

US President Donald Trump’s state visit will include meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday and Friday. Photo: Xinhua

2026 Xi-Trump summit

‘New historical juncture’: Beijing frames Trump visit as chance for stable ties

China’s top envoy to US and commentaries underscore what is at stake and strike a forward-looking tone despite the two sides’ differences.

13 May 2026 - 7:16PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

China presses Pakistan to deepen Iran mediation ahead of Trump-Xi talks

13 May 2026 - 3:40AMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

Iran’s foreign minister returns to Pakistan after Trump cancels envoys’ trip

28 Apr 2026 - 8:53AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war escalates as Houthis threaten to sever Saudi oil exports

Targets reportedly include a Saudi pipeline to the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and a UAE export terminal at Fujairah, outside the Gulf.

20 Apr 2026 - 8:36PM

Armed Houthi loyalists attend a rally in Yemen last month demanding a resumption of attacks against Red Sea shipping. Photo: Xinhua

US-China relations

China hits out at ‘dangerous and irresponsible’ US blockade of Iran’s ports

Beijing says American move will ‘inflame tensions, escalate the situation and undermine an already fragile ceasefire’.

14 Apr 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

What does the China-Pakistan plan for the Iran crisis mean for a post-war order?

Diplomatic initiative comes as long-standing US-dominated security framework faces growing strain and uncertainty, analysts say.

1 Apr 2026 - 9:26PMvideocam

Pakistan

What Pakistan gains by playing peacemaker in Iran war

If Islamabad can successfully carry off the talks, it stands a chance of bringing in much-needed investments and weapon sales, analysts say.

1 Apr 2026 - 7:20PMvideocam

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) and Army Chief Asim Munir (right) meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on September 26, 2025. Photo: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Office/AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

China, Pakistan launch five-point plan to ease Iran crisis, push ceasefire

Beijing backs Islamabad’s mediation push as both call for truce, Hormuz reopening and talks to restore regional stability.

1 Apr 2026 - 2:40AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu says Israel will widen its invasion of southern Lebanon

The PM said Israel would expand what he called the ‘existing security strip’ in Lebanon as Israeli forces continue to target Hezbollah.

30 Mar 2026 - 1:59AMvideocam

Pakistan

Pakistan aims to walk tightrope between Saudi Arabia and Iran as war flares

Islamabad has to navigate a tricky regional environment and manage the domestic blowback of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:22PMvideocam

Pakistani security officers stand outside the US consulate in Karachi on Wednesday. Photo: AP

US-Venezuela conflict

China’s Wang Yi accuses US of playing ‘international policeman’ in Venezuela

Chinese foreign minister decries US bullying tactics as he meets Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar a day after military strikes on Caracas.

5 Jan 2026 - 5:27PM

A Venezuelan flag is held up during a protest in Argentina calling for a democratic transition, after the US military strikes on fellow South American nation Venezuela. Photo: Reuters

Pakistan

Opinion | How Pakistan’s rising confidence could shape a cooperative South Asia

If Gulf investment, Chinese strategic interest and Pakistani willingness align, the region could shift from confrontation to collaboration.

12 Dec 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

China's military weapons

China leveraged India-Pakistan conflict to test military edge: US panel

Report says Beijing tested modern weapons in the May clash and promoted their performance to boost its defence sales worldwide.

19 Nov 2025 - 7:37AMvideocam

Indonesia

Did Indonesia fall into ‘diplomatic trap’ over Trump’s Gaza peace plan?

Indonesia may have been ‘too hasty’ in endorsing Trump’s plan that appears to favour Israeli and US interests over those of Palestinians.

8 Oct 2025 - 6:30PM

People take part in a protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza on the second anniversary of the war, outside the US embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

‘Huge questions remain’: Trump’s Gaza vision stirs Arab-Islamic unease

New terms on Israeli control in Gaza risk alienating the very Arab and Muslim nations the pact depends on, analysts warn.

1 Oct 2025 - 5:30PMvideocam

President Donald Trump speaks upon departing a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (foreground), in the State Dining Room of the White House, on Monday. Photo: AP

Israel-Gaza war

An ‘Arab Nato’? Israel’s air strikes on Qatar may have just brought it to life

A new military coalition is reportedly under discussion at an Arab-Islamic summit in a direct response to Israel’s attack.

15 Sep 2025 - 12:15PMvideocam

Pakistan

More than 300 killed in Pakistan as 2 days of rain trigger ‘flood of boulders’

Pakistan’s higher-than-normal monsoon rainfall set off floods and mudslides that have killed over 540 people since June 26.

18 Aug 2025 - 3:49PMvideocam

SCO

Can the SCO convince India and Pakistan to resolve their differences?

One of the big hurdles is Beijing’s close ties to Islamabad, analysts say.

18 Jul 2025 - 9:03PMvideocam

The SCO meeting of defence ministers was a rare opportunity for cabinet ministers from India and Pakistan to be in the same room. Photo: AFP

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Ishaq Dar

‘New historical juncture’: Beijing frames Trump visit as chance for stable ties

China’s top envoy to US and commentaries underscore what is at stake and strike a forward-looking tone despite the two sides’ differences.

China presses Pakistan to deepen Iran mediation ahead of Trump-Xi talks

Iran’s foreign minister returns to Pakistan after Trump cancels envoys’ trip

Iran war escalates as Houthis threaten to sever Saudi oil exports

Targets reportedly include a Saudi pipeline to the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and a UAE export terminal at Fujairah, outside the Gulf.

China hits out at ‘dangerous and irresponsible’ US blockade of Iran’s ports

Beijing says American move will ‘inflame tensions, escalate the situation and undermine an already fragile ceasefire’.

What does the China-Pakistan plan for the Iran crisis mean for a post-war order?

Diplomatic initiative comes as long-standing US-dominated security framework faces growing strain and uncertainty, analysts say.

What Pakistan gains by playing peacemaker in Iran war

If Islamabad can successfully carry off the talks, it stands a chance of bringing in much-needed investments and weapon sales, analysts say.

China, Pakistan launch five-point plan to ease Iran crisis, push ceasefire

Beijing backs Islamabad’s mediation push as both call for truce, Hormuz reopening and talks to restore regional stability.

Netanyahu says Israel will widen its invasion of southern Lebanon

The PM said Israel would expand what he called the ‘existing security strip’ in Lebanon as Israeli forces continue to target Hezbollah.

Pakistan aims to walk tightrope between Saudi Arabia and Iran as war flares

Islamabad has to navigate a tricky regional environment and manage the domestic blowback of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

China’s Wang Yi accuses US of playing ‘international policeman’ in Venezuela

Chinese foreign minister decries US bullying tactics as he meets Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar a day after military strikes on Caracas.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | How Pakistan’s rising confidence could shape a cooperative South Asia

If Gulf investment, Chinese strategic interest and Pakistani willingness align, the region could shift from confrontation to collaboration.

China leveraged India-Pakistan conflict to test military edge: US panel

Report says Beijing tested modern weapons in the May clash and promoted their performance to boost its defence sales worldwide.

Did Indonesia fall into ‘diplomatic trap’ over Trump’s Gaza peace plan?

Indonesia may have been ‘too hasty’ in endorsing Trump’s plan that appears to favour Israeli and US interests over those of Palestinians.

‘Huge questions remain’: Trump’s Gaza vision stirs Arab-Islamic unease

New terms on Israeli control in Gaza risk alienating the very Arab and Muslim nations the pact depends on, analysts warn.

An ‘Arab Nato’? Israel’s air strikes on Qatar may have just brought it to life

A new military coalition is reportedly under discussion at an Arab-Islamic summit in a direct response to Israel’s attack.

More than 300 killed in Pakistan as 2 days of rain trigger ‘flood of boulders’

Pakistan’s higher-than-normal monsoon rainfall set off floods and mudslides that have killed over 540 people since June 26.

Can the SCO convince India and Pakistan to resolve their differences?

One of the big hurdles is Beijing’s close ties to Islamabad, analysts say.

Opinion | How Pakistan’s rising confidence could shape a cooperative South Asia