Ishaq Dar, a four-time former finance minister of Pakistan, has been appointed as the country’s new Foreign Minister, marking a significant shift in the country’s foreign policy management. The decision comes as the newly formed government faces numerous challenges both domestically and internationally, including strained relations with neighboring countries such as India and Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inducted 19 members into his Cabinet on Monday, completing the government formation after a long period of anticipation. Dar’s appointment is seen as a critical part of this process, given the importance of foreign relations at this juncture in Pakistan’s history.
Ishaq Dar’s Background
Ishaq Dar, an ethnic Kashmiri and a trained chartered accountant, is a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and a trusted confidant of party leader and former three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. While Dar has been highly regarded for his economic expertise, particularly as a finance minister, his new role as Foreign Minister comes with little prior experience in managing foreign affairs.
However, Dar’s financial acumen may influence his approach to foreign policy, particularly in regard to Pakistan’s economic challenges and its potential economic relations with neighboring countries. His appointment comes at a time when Pakistan’s diplomatic ties with India and Afghanistan are at their lowest points.
Challenges in Managing Pakistan-India Relations
Dar takes over the foreign ministry portfolio at a time when Pakistan’s relations with India are fraught with tension. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were significantly downgraded in August 2019, following India’s decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate the region into two Union Territories. In response, Pakistan suspended trade and downgraded its diplomatic presence in India.
Pakistan has suffered from the suspension of trade, as it previously imported various goods and raw materials from India at cheaper rates. While Dar, as a financial expert, has historically favored stronger economic ties with India, the political complexities surrounding the Kashmir issue have made such cooperation impossible in recent years.
Dar’s stance on Kashmir aligns with Pakistan’s long-standing policy. He has previously expressed strong support for Kashmir’s right to self-determination, in line with the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions. In a tweet on Kashmir Solidarity Day earlier this year, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to providing “unwavering political, moral, and diplomatic support” to the Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination.
India, on the other hand, has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. New Delhi has expressed a willingness to maintain neighborly relations with Pakistan, but only in an environment free of terror, hostility, and violence. This position was reiterated by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday, who emphasized that terrorism must remain central to any dialogue with Pakistan.
Economic Implications
As an economist, Dar is fully aware of the potential economic benefits that could arise from improved relations with India. With India being the world’s fifth-largest economy, fostering economic ties could provide significant relief to Pakistan’s struggling economy. However, any movement toward mending relations with India would require broader approval from Pakistan’s powerful military establishment, which plays a crucial role in shaping the country’s foreign policy.
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Despite these challenges, Dar’s appointment may signal an opportunity for Pakistan to approach its foreign relations from an economic perspective, potentially focusing on economic cooperation and trade as a means to alleviate domestic financial pressures.
Other Cabinet Appointments
Along with Dar, the new Cabinet under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif includes several key figures. Khawaja Muhammad Asif was appointed as Minister for Defence, Defence Production, and Aviation, while Ahsan Iqbal was assigned the role of Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives. Azam Nazeer Tarar took on the portfolios of Law, Justice, and Human Rights, and Attaullah Tarar was appointed Minister for Information and Broadcasting.
Meanwhile, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh will serve as Minister for Maritime Affairs, and Muhammad Aurangzeb has been appointed as Minister of Finance and Revenue. Notably, Shaza Fatima Khawaja is the only woman in the new Cabinet, serving as Minister of State.
Ishaq Dar’s appointment as Pakistan’s Foreign Minister marks a new chapter in the country’s diplomatic efforts, particularly as it grapples with significant challenges in its foreign relations. While his background in finance suggests he may bring an economic lens to his new role, navigating the geopolitical complexities with India and other neighboring countries will require careful balancing. As Pakistan’s new government settles in, Dar’s leadership in foreign policy will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
