Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has been appointed as the country’s deputy prime minister, as per a notification by the Cabinet Division on Sunday.
The notification stated, “The Prime Minister has designated Mr Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, as Deputy Prime Minister with immediate effect and until further orders.”
Dar assumed the role of foreign minister after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) formed a coalition government post the February 8 elections.
A seasoned politician and a chartered accountant, Dar, 73, is not only a close aide but also a close relative of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.
The appointment of the four-time finance minister as foreign minister indicated an increased focus on economics in the nation’s diplomacy, aiming to secure another International Monetary Fund Deal and bolster external financing from foreign capitals.
“Economic diplomacy is crucial at this time,” Dar commented to Reuters after his appointment in March.
Prior to Dar’s appointment, Pervaiz Elahi of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) was the country’s deputy prime minister, appointed on June 25, 2012, after a political alliance between the Pakistan People’s Party and the PML-Q.
Last month, Dar took on the role of the country’s foreign minister, adding to his extensive experience that includes serving as finance minister from 1998 to 1999, March to May 2008, 2013 to 2017, and 2022 to 2023. He has also held positions as minister for industry and investment from February 1997 to July 1997, as well as commerce from December 1997 to October 1999. Dar was previously the Leader of Opposition in the Senate from March 2012 to June 2013.
