Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar warned on Wednesday that escalating conflicts across the globe pose a serious threat to international peace, cautioning that South Asia is confronting an increasingly complex blend of security, climate, and economic challenges.
Addressing the Islamabad Conclave 2025 titled “Reimagining South Asia: Security, Economy, Climate, Connectivity”, Dar said the regional environment is becoming more precarious and noted that the Pakistan–India confrontation in May could have taken a dangerous turn.
He said the global security landscape is rapidly deteriorating, with multiple wars threatening stability worldwide. South Asia, home to a quarter of the global population, is among the regions most exposed to these overlapping crises.
Dar highlighted the region’s complicated security dynamics, warning that long-standing disputes—particularly Kashmir—continue to undermine peace.
Climate Change Deepening Food Insecurity
Calling climate change “the major challenge of our time,” Dar pointed out that rising temperatures, recurrent floods, and the melting of over 25,000 glaciers in South Asia are devastating livelihoods and crippling local economies. He said food shortages are worsening as climate impacts increasingly disrupt agriculture and harm vulnerable communities.
He urged South Asian nations to take these threats seriously and collaborate to strengthen regional resilience.
Energy Dependence and Economic Pressures
Dar noted that South Asia remains heavily reliant on oil and gas amid persistent energy shortages, placing additional pressure on economies already grappling with global market turbulence. He said the shifting global economic environment demands stronger regional cooperation.
Concerns Over Indus Waters Treaty Suspension
Dar also criticised India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it an alarming development amid already strained regional ties. He reiterated that Pakistan rejects bloc politics and remains a supporter of peace grounded in justice and respect for the UN Charter.
Call for Peace, Cooperation, and Development
The deputy prime minister stressed the need to create an environment conducive to dialogue, saying regional states must collectively address the “lack of security and development.” He underlined the need to “implement peace with honour and respect.”
Dar noted that Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China recently launched a new cooperation mechanism aimed at accelerating development without succumbing to external pressures. “We will not let our development needs become hostage to anyone,” he said.
Expressing cautious optimism, he said South Asia’s economic trajectory could improve if countries recommit to cooperation, dialogue, and long-term stability.
