Addressing the Senate on Tuesday, Dar detailed his recent outreach to counterparts across multiple countries, underscoring that the goal is to bring both parties back to the negotiating table. ‘Our endeavor is to channel differences into dialogue and avoid spiraling into conflict,’ he said.
Reacting to sudden attacks on Iran, Dar expressed shock and described the incidents as a continuation of last June’s troubling events. Highlighting the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Iran, he stated that Pakistan immediately condemned the aggression, noting that the dispute serves no one’s interest. ‘We firmly recognize Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy,’ he affirmed.
Dar informed the Senate that a closed door briefing for parliamentary and opposition leaders will be held on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., addressing both Middle Eastern tensions and Afghanistan related developments. He acknowledged the challenging environment in the region due to rising threats of war.
In a humanitarian update, Dar highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to safely repatriate 792 citizens, including 46 students, from Iran.
During Senate discussions, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman stressed the need for a balanced foreign policy and national unity to safeguard Pakistan’s interests. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar announced that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will brief parliamentary leaders on Gulf developments tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Senator Syed Ali Zafar proposed a regional security framework, and Senators Afnanullah Khan and Jam Saifullah Khan expressed deep grief over the passing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, calling it an unforgettable loss. Other senators, including Hidayatullah Khan and Maulana Atta ur Rahman, also participated in the debate.
On domestic fronts, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi updated the Senate on reforms aimed at boosting commercial operations, announcing that the foundation for the 480 km Karachi-Rohri section upgrade will be laid this July.
He emphasized that freight operations are a priority and highlighted the introduction of new wagons and freight corridors, with rail earnings reaching PKR 32 billion from cargo and PKR 49 billion from passenger services in 2024–25.
Additionally, the Senate passed the Danish University Islamabad Bill 2026 and amendments to the Public Private Partnership Authority Act 2022, with the next session scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday.
