Earlier, Dar meets the Russian FM, review relations and commit to strengthening cooperation in key areas

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday visits the Asian Development Bank's headquarters in Manila. PHOTO: FO

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to expedite processing of financing for Pakistan's Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, describing it as one of the government's flagship infrastructure initiatives during a meeting with senior ADB leadership at the bank's headquarters in Manila.

Dar held the meeting on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Manila, where Pakistan is engaging regional partners through bilateral meetings.

According to the Foreign Office, Dar held a meeting at the ADB headquarters with ADB Vice President (South, Central and West Asia) Yingming Yang, ADB Vice President (Sectors and Themes) Fatima Yasmin, ADB director generals and officials, along with Pakistan's Executive Director to the ADB, Nashita Mohsin.

The two sides "reaffirmed their more than six-decade-long Pakistan-ADB partnership and explored ways to further strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, climate resilience, regional connectivity, and sustainable economic growth," the Foreign Office said.

During the meeting, Dar "appreciated ADB's steadfast support for Pakistan's development priorities and underscored the importance of continued collaboration."

The deputy prime minister also highlighted the "Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project as one of the Government's flagship infrastructure initiatives and a priority of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif."

According to the FO, Dar "emphasised ADB's continued support in leading the consortium lending for this project and requested an expedited processing timeline."

The FO said the ADB vice presidents reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to working closely with Pakistan to advance the project, recognizing its transformative role in modernising Pakistan's railway network, strengthening connectivity, and supporting sustainable economic growth.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, Pakistan's Ambassador to the Philippines Dr Asima Rabbani, and senior officials from both sides also attended the meeting, the statement added.

In an earlier statement, the FO said that Dar was received by Director General for the Central and West Asia Department Leah Gutierrez at the ADB headquarters and signed the bank's Visitors' Book upon arrival.

He was later hosted at a working lunch by Pakistan's Executive Director to the ADB, Nashita Mohsin, along with a group of Pakistani professionals holding senior leadership positions across the institution.

The FO said the meeting "provided an opportunity to exchange views on the ADB's evolving development agenda, its partnership with Pakistan, and the important role being played by Pakistani professionals in advancing the Bank's work across a broad range of sectors and regions."

During the interaction, Dar "appreciated their valuable contributions to the ADB's mission and acknowledged the distinction they bring to Pakistan through their leadership and expertise at the institution," the statement said.

The deputy prime minister also congratulated Nashita Mohsin on assuming her responsibilities as Pakistan's Executive Director to the ADB and wished her success "in advancing Pakistan's engagement with the ADB," according to the Foreign Office.

Meeting with Russian FM

FM Dar also held a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ahead of the ARF Ministerial Meeting and "reviewed Pakistan-Russia bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity, and other key areas, as well as enhancing coordination at multilateral forums."

The FO said both sides "underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement in advancing the Pakistan-Russia partnership."

During the meeting, Dar and Lavrov also "exchanged views on key regional and international developments" and "agreed to remain in close contact," the statement added.

Dar meets Bangladesh's foreign minister

Separately, Dar met Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rehman and reviewed the "positive trajectory" of their bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties.

Khalilur Rehman, who is also the President-elect of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, met Dar as both leaders participated in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting.

According to the Foreign Office, the two leaders "reviewed the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and the renewed impetus by the Deputy Prime Minister's visit to Bangladesh last year."

The Foreign Office said both sides "reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties."

The ministers also welcomed the growing engagement between the two countries, including "enhanced people-to-people contacts and improved connectivity following the commencement of direct flights this year," and agreed "to sustain this positive trajectory."

According to the Foreign Office, the two sides noted that increased exchanges and improved connectivity had contributed to strengthening relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Dar and Rehman also "exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest," the statement added.

Dar's arrival

Earlier, Dar arrived in Manila, Philippines to participate in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting, according to the Foreign Office.

The FO said Dar reached Manila along with his delegation and is scheduled to take part in the ARF Plenary meeting as well as hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the forum.

It added that "a busy programme of engagements lies ahead, including participation in the ARF Plenary meeting and bilateral meetings with counterparts on the sidelines".

Upon his arrival at the airport, Dar was received by Assistant Secretary for the Office of Intelligence and Security Services (OISS) Elmer G Cato, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines, along with Pakistan's Ambassador to the Philippines Ambassador Asima Rabbani, and officials of the Embassy of Pakistan, the FO said.

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The week-long summit, which will run through July 24, gathers foreign ministers and top diplomats from ASEAN nations and major powers to discuss issues surrounding geopolitical challenges, energy supplies, trade, food, security cooperation, Myanmar civil war and the Five-Point Consensus, as well as the impacts of the US-Iran conflict.

US Secretary of ​State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will join the ASEAN-led meeting in the coming days and could meet on the sidelines. Also attending will be ​India, Japan, Australia, South ⁠Korea, Russia, Britain and the European Union, among others.

Southeast Asia, a major oil importer with a combined gross domestic product of $3.8 trillion, is highly exposed to the supply crunch and has sought to fast-track an ASEAN oil-sharing mechanism to ​mitigate the impact.

Additional Information by Reuters