FM Dar departs to participate in ASEAN Regional Forum in Philippines

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday departed to participate in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting being held in Manila, Philippines on July 22–23.

Earlier, in a statement on Ministry of Foreign Affairs X account, the foreign office said that FM Dar would lead Pakistan's delegation at the meeting, which would bring together foreign ministers and delegates from the 27 ARF member states. 

The secretary-general of ASEAN will also attend the meeting, FO said.

The foreign office later said that the minister had departed for Philippineswhere he would participate in discussions on key regional and international political and security issues, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to peace, stability, and dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region. 

“He will also hold bilateral meetings with participating foreign ministers and other dignitaries on the sidelines of the Forum,” FO said. 

The ARF, established in 1994, has remained a pivotal platform for multilateral consultations on regional security issues. 

Since becoming a member in 2004, Pakistan has maintained an active role within the forum, consistently offering constructive contributions to its regional programs and objectives, FO said.