ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday called on India to immediately restore the Indus Waters Treaty, saying the use of water as a weapon violates international law. He also reaffirmed that the Kashmir dispute remains on the United Nations agenda and stressed the need for its peaceful resolution.
Dar made the remarks during a joint press conference with Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman, who is on an official visit to Pakistan.
Pakistan-Croatia Ties to Enter New Phase
Welcoming the Croatian foreign minister and his delegation, Dar described the visit as a significant milestone in bilateral relations, noting that it marks the first high-level visit from Croatia to Pakistan in many years.
He said both countries enjoy strong relations based on goodwill and mutual trust and agreed to expand cooperation in politics, trade, investment, education, culture and defence. The two sides also agreed to advance negotiations on an agreement to avoid double taxation.
Trade, Investment and Visa Cooperation
Dar said Pakistan welcomed the growing presence and business interest of Croatian companies and encouraged Croatia to benefit from Pakistan's investor-friendly policies.
He said both countries would strengthen institutional cooperation in agriculture and research, while discussions were also held on enhancing connectivity, sustainable development and economic integration.
The deputy prime minister added that efforts are underway to establish Croatian visa processing facilities in Islamabad, enabling Pakistani applicants to avoid travelling to a third country for visa services.
Ports, GSP+ and Labour Mobility
Dar said Karachi Port has significant potential to promote regional trade and connectivity, adding that both countries discussed cooperation between their ports and agreed to finalise several bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding at the earliest.
Pakistan committed to strengthening ties with Croatia, says Ishaq Dar
He noted that the GSP+ scheme remains a key pillar of Pakistan-European Union economic cooperation and said Pakistan is preparing to reapply for the programme in 2027.
The foreign minister also said both sides agreed to expand legal employment opportunities for Pakistan's skilled workforce and work together to combat human trafficking and illegal migration.
India, Kashmir and Regional Security
Dar said Pakistan and Croatia believe in the principles of the United Nations Charter, respect for sovereignty and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
He said Croatia had appreciated Pakistan's diplomatic efforts at the UN Security Council and noted that both countries share similar positions on several international issues.
Reiterating Pakistan's stance, Dar said India must immediately restore the Indus Waters Treaty, adding that the use of water as a weapon is a violation of international laws and treaty obligations. He also described Kashmir as a long-standing dispute that remains on the UN agenda.
Pakistan's Diplomatic Role and Afghanistan
The deputy prime minister said Pakistan played an important diplomatic role in efforts to reduce tensions during the recent Iran-Israel conflict and added that the Islamabad Memorandum represents an important step towards regional peace.
He also stressed that terrorist organisations operating from Afghanistan continue to pose a serious threat to Pakistan's security and said Afghan territory should not be allowed to be used against any country, particularly Pakistan.
Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and called on the international community to strengthen collective efforts against the global threat.
Croatia Seeks Stronger Partnership
Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman thanked Pakistan for its warm hospitality and invited Ishaq Dar to visit Croatia.
He described Islamabad as a peaceful and beautiful city and said Pakistan-Croatia relations are built on mutual respect and trust. He expressed confidence that his visit would further strengthen bilateral ties.
The Croatian minister said both countries had agreed to explore new opportunities for cooperation in technology, services, healthcare and tourism, while Croatia's strategic location offers Pakistan improved access to European markets.
He also said steps are being taken to simplify the visa application process for Pakistani citizens and praised Pakistan's constructive diplomatic efforts during recent regional tensions.
Radman added that continuous dialogue is essential to addressing global security challenges and reaffirmed Croatia's commitment to supporting international peace missions.