Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi thanks Pakistan for solidarity
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View on mapPresident Zardari, PM Shehbaz review regional situation, implications for Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called on President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the overall national security situation and key challenges facing the country, according to the President’s Secretariat. The meeting comes a day after the quadrilateral ministerial moot in Islamabad, involving the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt, discussing possible ways to bring an “early and permanent end” to the war in the region. The foregin ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkiye had also called on PM Shehbaz after the meeting concluded. According to President’s Secretariat, the meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. National Security Adviser and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General (DG) Asim Malik also participated in the meeting. During the meeting, participants held a detailed discussion on the overall national security situation, reviewed the evolving regional scenario and its implications for Pakistan, the secretariat said. They further deliberated on economic, energy and security challenges, it added. It stated that the leadership also “emphasised the need for a coordinated national strategy and institutional harmony”. Last week, President Zardari had also chaired a high-level meeting with PM Shehbaz, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and other ministers. The meeting had reviewed the economic, energy and regional situation amid oil and gas supply concerns, focusing on coordination, austerity, fuel conservation and public relief. President chairs consultative meeting Later in the day, President Zardari also chaired an “expanded consultative meeting” at Aiwan-i-Sadr with PM Shehbaz and the leadership of all provinces, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir in attendance, a statement by the President’s Secretariat said. It said ISI DG Malik, Dar, Bilawal and Naqvi, as well as several other federal ministers, also attended the meeting, among others. President Zardari directed during the meeting that, keeping in view the “oil and gas supply pressures, escalating energy costs, and the evolving regional environment, all possible measures should be taken to ease the burden of rising prices on the common man, especially for essential goods and services”, the statement said. It added that the meeting was briefed on the steps being taken by governments of the four provinces, as well as that of GB and AJK, to “manage price pressures, ensure the availability of essential supplies and mitigate the impact on the public, enabling a coordinated national response”. The meeting also reviewed the broader regional situation and its potential effects on Pakistan’s security environment, economic outlook and food security, it said. “The meeting was assured that despite the global crisis, timely decisions have ensured no disruption to fuel supply, and that adequate fuel stocks are currently available to meet the country’s needs, with arrangements for the future also underway,” it added. DPM Dar informed the meeting about the government’s “proactive diplomatic outreach, including his recent engagements with the leadership of Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as leaders of countries involved in the conflict. He also briefed the meeting on his upcoming visit to Beijing”, the statement said. It said the meeting was informed that proposals to increase oil prices had repeatedly been rejected by the prime minister, and that funds saved through austerity measures were being channelled towards public relief. “It was noted that the spirit of austerity had begun with the government cutting down its own expenditure, including cuts to the development budget and the immediate grounding of 60 per cent of official vehicles,” the statement said. It further stated that the president reiterated that the “economically vulnerable people would not be left alone in this difficult time”. He directed “coordinated decision-making”, with alignment between economic management, energy planning, food security measures and security preparedness. “The president also asked for the need for public awareness efforts, focusing on reducing fuel consumption, encouraging the use of public transportation and promoting shared mobility practices as part of a broader demand management approach,” the statement said.
DawnMarch 30, 2026 at 03:19 PM UTCPresident Zardari, PM Shehbaz discuss national security amid Iran war
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called on President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the overall national security situation and key challenges facing the country, according to the President’s Secretariat. The meeting comes a day after the quadrilateral ministerial moot in Islamabad, involving the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt, discussing possible ways to bring an “early and permanent end” to the war in the region. The foregin ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkiye had also called on PM Shehbaz after the meeting concluded. According to President’s Secretariat, the meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. National Security Adviser and Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Asim Malik also participated in the meeting. During the meeting, participants held a detailed discussion on the overall national security situation, reviewed the evolving regional scenario and its implications for Pakistan, the secretariat said. They further deliberated on economic, energy and security challenges, it added. It stated that the leadership also “emphasised the need for a coordinated national strategy and institutional harmony”. Last week, President Zardari had also chaired a high-level meeting with PM Shehbaz, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and other ministers. The meeting had reviewed the economic, energy and regional situation amid oil and gas supply concerns, focusing on coordination, austerity, fuel conservation and public relief.
DawnMarch 30, 2026 at 11:49 AM UTCPM Shehbaz expresses gratitude to foreign ministers after quad moot, reiterates Pakistan’s commitment to peace
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed his gratitude towards the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt after a quadrilateral meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East, appreciating their confidence in Pakistan’s efforts for peace. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, brought together foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt as part of a coordinated regional push to de-escalate the conflict between the United States and Iran that has now completed its first month, raising fears of wider spillover and disruption to global energy supplies. “It was a pleasure to receive His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan this evening,” PM Shehbaz said in a post on X early on Monday morning. According to the statement, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unwavering solidarity” with the Kingdom and appreciated Saudi Arabia’s “remarkable restraint in these challenging times”. He recognised Saudi Arabia’s leadership role in the Muslim Ummah and underscored the importance of unity among Islamic countries. The premier added that the two sides had agreed to remain “in close coordination in our shared pursuit of peace and stability in the region”. Separately, he expressed his pleasure at receiving Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty on Sunday evening. In another post on social media, he said that he had “stressed upon the need for collective efforts to urgently bring an end to hostilities that were causing heavy loss of life, economy and property not only in Iran, but across several brotherly Muslim countries”. The premier also appreciated Turkiye and Egypt’s valuable contributions, while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment and resolve to play a positive role in bringing Iran and the US to the negotiating table. “Grateful for their confidence in Pakistan’s sincere efforts for regional peace and stability,” PM Shehbaz added. A post by the Foreign Office (FO) made after midnight said that the three foreign ministers departed Islamabad at the conclusion of the quadrilateral consultations, with videos showing each one’s departure at the airport. Pakistan on Sunday signalled that it could host direct talks between the US and Iran in the coming days upon the conclusion of the talks. “Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days, for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict,” Dar said at the close of the consultations in Islamabad and ahead of his upcoming trip to Beijing for consultations on Iran-US talks. Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach for peace Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic outreach as it attempts to de-escalate Middle East hostilities sparked by the United States and Israel’s strikes on Iran on February 28, which have engulfed the entire region as Tehran continues its retaliatory attacks. Islamabad has been engaging Washington, Gulf capitals and other Muslim countries in an effort to create space for talks. The quadrilateral meeting was initially planned to be held in Turkiye, but at the last moment it was shifted to Islamabad due to Dar’s inability to travel because of his involvement in Pakistani efforts to facilitate the US-Iran talks. A diplomatic source said talks in Islamabad could take place around Tuesday, led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Another diplomat closely following the talks said there is an expectation that Washington could announce a ceasefire to coincide with the start of dialogue, in line with Tehran’s demand for confidence-building measures. However, the diplomatic source cautioned that all this remained subject to how events would unfold over the next 48 hours. Germany’s FM Johann Wadephul on Friday claimed that a direct US-Iran meeting would take place in Pakistan “very soon”.
DawnMarch 30, 2026 at 08:17 AM UTCTalk or escalate?
IT has been a roller-coaster week with President Donald Trump talking of a peace deal with Iran and issuing ultimatums of military escalation in the same breath. Hopes that he might be looking for an off-ramp were raised when he postponed threatened attacks on Iran’s power plants and claimed US officials were in talks with Iranian counterparts that were progressing well. When news emerged of Pakistan playing go-between, the possibility gained ground of a diplomatic path out of the crisis. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer to host talks catapulted Pakistan to the centre of diplomatic efforts and suggested serious behind-the-scenes activity aimed at de-escalation that was also coordinated with Turkiye and Egypt. That President Trump and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir spoke on the phone before Islamabad’s public offer underlined Pakistan’s emergence as the key intermediary. But there was no indication from Tehran that talks were imminent. Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf signalled Tehran wasn’t yet ready for negotiations. He said optimism about talks “is being used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped”. An Iranian military spokesman accused Trump of “negotiating with himself”. Uncertainty reigns over the possibility of talks with the positions of the two sides being so far apart. Messages exchanged through an intermediary allow both sides to test the seriousness of the other and scope out future engagement but cannot be deemed negotiations. Meanwhile, there has been no let-up in US and Israeli attacks on Iran while Iran’s retaliatory strikes have continued on US bases and other targets in Gulf countries. More ominously, thousands of American marines and army paratroopers are heading for deployment in the Persian Gulf. With Trump refusing to rule out putting US troops on the ground, speculation grew about potential American plans to seize Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal. Reports of Trump weighing that option reinforced the mixed signals from Washington. Whichever way the war ends it has changed the strategic equation in the Middle East. Whether America’s talk-and-fight signalling was simultaneously aimed at calming the oil market while mounting pressure on Iran, it reflected Trump’s increasingly chaotic diplomacy. His claims he had won the war and “achieved regime change” was characteristic bluster but also an effort to build a ‘face-saving’ narrative to help craft an exit from the war. The US sent a 15-point ‘peace plan’ to Tehran through Pakistan, also suggesting Islamabad as a venue for negotiations. But the proposal is a list of demands that seeks Iran’s surrender. A US official was quoted as saying Trump “is serious about negotiating from gunboats”. But that doesn’t rule out talks being a ruse by him to buy time and prepare to take the conflict to another level by putting ground troops in place to establish a beachhead along Iran’s coastline on the Strait of Hormuz. Twice before, earlier this year and in April 2025, talks were used as a smokescreen for US-Israeli military attacks on Iran launched in the midst of negotiations. Referring to this, an official Iranian spokesman said its past negotiating experience had been “disastrous”. Tehran rejected the 15-point US proposal saying its demands were “excessive and unreasonable”. Instead, it put forward its own five points for ending the conflict. They were: guarantees that war will not be re-imposed on Iran, an end to war “across all fronts” and for all resistance groups, halt to aggression and assassinations, recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and payment of war reparations. Believing it has the upper hand, Iran signalled it will not go back to the pre-war status quo. Both sides have put forward maximalist positions. This leaves room open for talks even if the two are more far apart than they were before the war. It is hard to say how diplomacy will fare in the absence of trust and especially given Trump’s unpredictability. What then is likely to happen in the weeks and months ahead? Three scenarios can be posited. Two have unstable outcomes while a third scenario can arguably produce stability. The first is that the US and Israel are able to deliver a decisive blow and achieve regime collapse or regime change with a weakened Iran unable to pose any threat. But that doesn’t produce stability. It is instructive to recall the experience in Afghanistan and Iraq where ouster of governments led to prolonged conflict and ultimately US departure. This time too resistance, chaos and violence can ensue which reverberate across the region to produce prolonged instability. There is little likelihood of this scenario materialising. The second scenario is of protracted conflict in the absence of a political settlement to end the war. There may be transient pauses in fighting but hostilities keep erupting with Iran maintaining its grip on the Strait of Hormuz and sustaining its capability to launch retaliatory strikes on Gulf states. This keeps the global oil market in a state of prolonged turmoil, disrupting the supply chain of other commodities and resulting in a global recession. The International Energy Agency has already described the present situation as “the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market”. In this scenario, the disruption would worsen, plunge the global economy into chaos and threaten global food security. This situation could last for months, even longer. The third and best-case scenario is a comprehensive agreement between the US and Iran through negotiations, which includes a guarantee of no further attacks on Iran by the US and Israel. This would involve Iran making nuclear concessions to Washington similar to those it offered in the Oman-mediated talks. Both sides can then claim they got what they wanted. Over time, Iran and the Gulf states would have to come to a modus vivendi even if trust takes far longer to rebuild. This scenario is the hardest to achieve as no party would want to be seen as losing at the negotiating table. But it is the only one that can lead to stability. The spoiler in this scenario is Israel, so unless the tail that has been wagging the dog is controlled, the region is in for prolonged conflict. Whichever scenario comes to pass, there can be no return to the status quo ante as the upending of the regional order by the war means the Middle East will never be the same again. The writer is a former ambassador to the US, UK and UN. Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2026
DawnMarch 30, 2026 at 04:44 AM UTCAfghan truce
AFTER a temporary pause during Eidul Fitr, Pakistan says that Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, which began in late February, striking terrorist sites in Afghanistan as well as Afghan Taliban positions, has resumed. Earlier, the Foreign Office had said that a temporary truce had been initiated “in deference to” Eid, and on “requests from our brotherly Islamic countries”. Not long after the truce expired, there were reports last Thursday of cross-border fire from the Afghan side at Torkham, in which a Pakistani official was injured. The truce had largely held over the Eid holidays, and it would be in the interest of both states to see how a longer-term cessation of hostilities can be worked out, while keeping in mind Pakistan’s legitimate demand that cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan be halted permanently. Many of Pakistan’s friends are interested in seeing a long-term truce take effect between Islamabad and Kabul. Afghan Taliban officials had said the Eid truce had been achieved due to the efforts of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Qatar. Moreover, China, which is an ally of Pakistan, and which also maintains open channels with Afghanistan, has also suggested that the path of dialogue be pursued in order to resolve differences. Commenting on the Eid truce, the Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson said that “China hopes that both countries will … resume peace talks promptly” and “resolve differences through dialogue”. The spokesperson added that Beijing was “playing a constructive role” in mediating the conflict. Meanwhile, the FO has said the operation will continue “until the objectives are achieved” and Kabul reviews its support for terrorism. Pakistan’s hand was forced by the Afghan Taliban as they had stubbornly refused to act against terrorist groups such as the banned TTP, which has been waging a bloody campaign inside this country, resulting in the loss of many lives. However, now that deterrence has been established, and hopefully the message understood in Kabul, it would be wise to find an off-ramp, and get guarantees from Afghanistan at the negotiating table. The flames of war are consuming the wider region, and it would be in Pakistan’s interest for calm to be established along the Afghan border. Clerics from both Afghanistan and Pakistan had recently called for extending the Eidul Fitr ceasefire to Eidul Azha — which falls at the end of May. This could be a worthwhile proposal to pursue; common Muslim friends, as well as China, can be approached to see if a longer truce can be worked out. Pakistan’s concerns about terrorist groups in Afghanistan are genuine, and the interlocutors must make clear to the Afghan Taliban that if they are interested in permanent peace, they must act against violent groups seeking to harm Pakistan. Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2026
DawnMarch 30, 2026 at 04:26 AM UTCDar hints at US, Iran talks as quad pushes peace off-ramp
• Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt back efforts to create conditions for Washington-Tehran structured negotiations • FMs explore ways for permanent end to hostilities, insist war is ‘not in favour of anyone’ • Deputy PM to leave for Beijing to meet Chinese foreign minister tomorrow ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday signalled that it could host direct talks between the United States and Iran in the coming days, as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar concluded a four-country meeting that emphasised “dialogue and diplomacy” as the only path to ending hostilities in the Gulf region. “Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days, for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict,” Mr Dar said at the close of the consultations in Islamabad and ahead of his upcoming trip to Beijing for consultations on Iran-US talks. The meeting brought together foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt as part of a coordinated regional push to de-escalate a conflict that has now completed its first month, raising fears of wider spillover and disruption to global energy supplies. The quadrilateral format, launched earlier this month with an initial meeting in Riyadh, is described by officials as the most coordinated regional effort yet to steer the crisis towards diplomacy. Besides Mr Dar, participants included Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. Backing for Iran dialogue In a joint review of the situation, the ministers expressed concern over the “devastating impact on lives and livelihood” and agreed that the war “is not in favour of anyone and would only lead to death and destruction,” Mr Dar said. They reaffirmed the need for an immediate end to hostilities, stressed unity among Muslim countries and backed efforts to create conditions for structured negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Mr Dar said he had briefed his counterparts on the prospects of potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad, with the visiting ministers expressing “full support” for the initiative. Despite the diplomatic momentum, a senior diplomatic source cautioned that direct talks between Washington and Tehran have not yet been confirmed and would depend on developments on the battlefield. The conflict, now in its fourth week, continues to shape the timing and feasibility of any negotiations, with contacts between the two sides still limited to indirect exchanges of messages. China’s role Pakistan’s efforts have drawn broad international support, most notably from China, which has endorsed Islamabad’s role and encouraged Iran to engage in dialogue. Mr Dar, who spoke with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi earlier this week, is scheduled to travel to Beijing for further discussions on March 31. A diplomatic source said the visit is expected to build on their recent exchanges and explore ways for Beijing and Islamabad jointly supporting US-Iran dialogue. Mr Dar’s trip also suggests that a US-Iran meeting, earlier speculated for Tuesday, is unlikely to take place on that timeline. Securing navigation through Strait of Hormuz Discussions at the Islamabad meeting focused heavily on de-escalation measures, and included proposals to manage and secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade artery. Officials said ensuring safe passage of shipping was viewed as a potential confidence-building step toward broader negotiations. Mr Dar had earlier announced Iran had agreed to allow 20 additional Pakistan flagged vessels to transit the waterway. The four countries also agreed to establish a committee of senior officials to develop modalities for continued coordination. Engagements on the margins On the sidelines, Mr Dar held separate one-on-one meetings with his Turkish, Saudi and Egyptian counterparts to align positions and advance diplomatic options. The visiting ministers later called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who stressed the urgency of collective efforts to end hostilities and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to bringing US and Iran to the negotiating table. Prime Minister Shehbaz also emphasised the importance of unity among Islamic countries and discussed proposals for stabilising maritime routes and broader regional security. The visiting ministers shared their respective national perspectives and briefed the prime minister on their diplomatic engagements. While no firm timeline has been set for direct talks, officials say the convergence of regional and international backing has created a narrow but significant opening. Mr Dar said both Washington and Tehran had expressed confidence in Pakistan’s role, even as the situation on the ground remains volatile. “The unity of Muslim Ummah in these challenging times is of utmost importance,” he said, reiterating that dialogue and diplomacy remain “the only viable pathway” to peace. Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2026
DawnMarch 30, 2026 at 03:41 AM UTCPM Shehbaz commends Kingdom’s ‘remarkable restraint’ in meeting with Saudi FM, assures him of Pakistan’s ‘full support’
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the “remarkable restraint” exercised by Saudi Arabia amid the Middle East crisis in a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Islamabad, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Sunday. He also assured him of Pakistan’s full and unwavering solidarity and support, the statement said. The Saudi foreign minister called upon PM Shehbaz after the conclusion of quadrilateral ministerial meeting in Islamabad, attended by the FMs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye. PM Shehbaz shared with FM Faisal Pakistan’s extensive diplomatic outreach during the current crisis, including mediation efforts for de-escalation and attempts to bring both the United States and Iran to the negotiating table, the PMO said. The Saudi FM also shared the latest Saudi perspective on the regional situation with the prime minister, who assured the visiting dignitary of Pakistan’s full and unwavering solidarity and support. The premier also emphasised Saudi Arabia’s leadership role within the Muslim Ummah and stressed the need to forge unity within Islamic countries at this critical time, the statement said. During the meeting, PM Shehbaz recalled his recent conversations with the Saudi crown prince, including their meeting in Jeddah on March 12. “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to continue to coordinate their positions closely in order to secure peace and stability in the region,” the PMO said. Upon his arrival at PMO, the Saudi foreign minister was received by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and National Security Adviser and Director-General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Asim Malik also participated in the meeting, the PMO said. It added that the prime minister “warmly welcomed the Saudi foreign minister and conveyed his respectful regards for The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and warm greetings for His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince & Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”. Saudi FM arrived in Pakistan on Sunday to participate in the high-level quadrilateral ministerial meeting in Islamabad. Meeting with Turkish, Egyptian FMs After meeting him, PM Shehbaz was also called upon by the foreign ministers of Turkiye and Egypt, who were also in Islamabad to attend the high-level quadrilateral ministerial meeting on the Middle East crisis. According to the PMO, SAPM Fatemi received Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty upon their arrival at the Prime Minister’s House. “The prime minister warmly welcomed the distinguished foreign ministers in his office,” the PMO statement said, adding that Dar and ISI DG Asim Malik were also present in the meeting. According to the PMO, PM Shehbaz conveyed his “greetings and best wishes” for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, and recalled his recent conversations with both leaders. The PM shared Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach efforts with the two visiting dignitaries and stressed the need for “collective efforts to urgently bring an end to hostilities that were causing heavy loss of life, economy and property not only in Iran, but across several brotherly Muslim countries”, a subsequent PMO statement said. It added that he reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment and resolve to play a positive role in bringing both Iran and the US to the negotiating table. For their part, the two foreign ministers briefed the PM on their respective national perspectives on the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, the statement said. “While appreciating Pakistan’s constructive role in peace efforts, they lauded the prime minister, the deputy prime minister and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their leadership at this challenging time,” the statement said.
DawnMarch 29, 2026 at 06:03 PM UTCIran, US have expressed confidence in Pakistan to facilitate talks; will be honoured to host dialogue ‘in coming days’: FM Dar
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that both the US and Iran had expressed confidence in Pakistan to facilitate talks between them amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. He made these remarks in a televised address after a quadrilateral moot on the ongoing Middle East crisis. The meeting in Islamabad was also attended the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt. Dar said he had also held “very productive” bilateral meetings with the three foreign ministers, who also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “As you know, the purpose of this visit of the foreign ministers was to participate in the second meeting of consultations among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt, which was held today in Islamabad. “You may recall that our first meeting was held in Riyadh on March 19, 2026,” he added. Sharing details of today’s quadrilateral meeting, Dar said the four foreign ministers had a very detailed and in-depth discussion on the current regional situation. “We also discussed possible ways to bring an early and permanent end to the war in the region.” Dar said the four participants also expressed concerns that the ongoing conflict was “extremely unfortunate for its devastating impact on lives and livelihood across the wider region”. “We agreed that this war is not in favour of anyone and would only lead to death and destruction; the unity of the Muslim ummah in these challenging times is of utmost importance,” he added. Moreover, Dar said he briefed the visiting dignitaries on the prospects of potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad. “The visiting foreign ministers expressed their fullest support to this initiative,” he said. They “reaffirmed unity to contain the situation, reduce the risks of military escalation and create conditions for structured negotiations between relevant parties”, Dar said. “The foreign ministers advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable pathway to prevent conflict and to promote regional peace and harmony. They called for upholding principles of United Nations Charter, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states,” he said. Dar added that foreign ministers also discussed ways and means to “further strengthen mutual cooperation among the four brotherly countries”. He thanked the visiting dignitaries for their support for Pakistan in efforts for peace in the region. “In this regard, we decided to constitute a committee of four senior officials from the respective ministries of foreign affairs to work out the modalities through mutual understanding and consensus,” he detailed. He thanked the visiting dignitaries for “their support to Pakistan’s efforts for peace in the region”. Dar said that under the leadership of PM Shehbaz, “Pakistan has maintained regular engagement with our regional and international partners. Pakistan has remained actively involved in all efforts and initiatives aimed at bringing this conflict to an end”. He added that Pakistan also had a “very important relationship” with the US. “We have remained actively engaged with the US leadership as well, as part of our efforts to de-escalate the situation and find a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” he said. In this context, he continued, “Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate the talks”. “Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days, for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict,” he said. Moreover, he said, he had a detailed telephonic conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and China “fully supports Pakistan’s initiative to host Iran-US talks”. “Similarly, I had a telephonic conversation with the secretary general of the UN. The secretary general has expressed his full support for the peace initiative by Pakistan. “I have also held several telephone conversations with my counterparts from different countries around the world. They have all extended their full support and confidence in our efforts.” Therefore, he said, “there is strong appreciation and support among all our friends for the efforts being made by Pakistan. We will continue our efforts with sincerity and commitment”. “Pakistan will require prayers and the support of the entire international community for the success of its endeavour to achieve peace and bring a permanent end to this war”, he added, Quadrilateral meeting Convened at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the participants of the quadrilateral meeting, apart from reviewing the evolving regional situation, were also to discuss issues of mutual interest, the Foreign Office (FO) said. After the moot ended, Dar posted on X that he was pleased to welcome the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt to Islamabad for consultations. “Grateful for their presence at this critical moment, reflecting our strong fraternal ties. Our candid and constructive discussions focus on the evolving regional situation and advancing peace and stability, while strengthening our partnership and deepening cooperation across diverse domains,” he posted on X. The quadrilateral mechanism is being viewed as a key diplomatic track feeding into wider efforts to end the conflict, with a focus on consolidating regional backing for de-escalation, aligning positions ahead of any possible US-Iran talks, and facilitating dialogue. Though neither Washington nor Tehran attended the meet, it is still being viewed as a preparatory step toward a broader diplomatic opening. Egyptian FM Abdelatty and Turkiye’s FM Hakan Fidan landed in Pakistan on Saturday night, while Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud arrived on Sunday afternoon. Several roads leading to Islamabad’s Red Zone — where key government buildings and diplomatic missions are based — were sealed off, AFP reporters said. Security was tight and the driveway of the foreign ministry was decorated with the flags of all four countries. Meeting with Turkish FM Before the quadrilateral moot, Dar also held separate meetings with his counterparts from Turkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. He and Türkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in their meeting at the FO ahead of the larger talks, “reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Türkiye across all sectors of mutual interest”, according to an FO press release. During the meeting, Dar “underscored the historic and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, rooted in shared history, culture, and mutual respect”. The deputy premier expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations. “The discussions provided an opportunity to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore avenues for strengthening the longstanding strategic partnership between the two brotherly countries,” the FO statement read. “The two leaders also exchanged views on recent regional developments, including the evolving situation in Iran, and emphasised the importance of dialogue and sustained diplomatic engagement to promote peace and stability,” it added. Both sides reaffirmed their “unwavering support for each other’s core national interests, agreed to maintain close coordination, and to continue working together to deepen the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Türkiye”, the FO noted. Meeting with Egypt FM Abdelatty Prior to the discussions with the Turkish FM, Dar held a separate meeting with Egyptian FM Dr Badr Abdelatty, with the two reaffirming their countries’ “commitment to further strengthening cooperation across all domains”, the FO said in a press release. Abdelatty’s visit is regarded as a “follow-up to recent high-level contacts between the two sides”, including discussions held in Riyadh earlier this month, as well as the Egyptian FM’s Pakistan trip in Nov 2025, during which he met with Dar, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. The FO said the meetings reflect the “close coordination between Pakistan and Egypt on evolving regional developments”. As both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, they expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of defence and security cooperation, agreeing to further strengthen collaboration through training exchanges and other institutional mechanisms, the FO said. They stressed the need to enhance bilateral trade and investment, with agreement on the importance of activating bilateral mechanisms, including a Joint Ministerial Commission, and promoting business-to-business linkages. Dar “appreciated Egypt’s continued support in the health sector, particularly in combating Hepatitis-C, and welcomed ongoing collaboration in this area”, the statement further said. Discussing the ongoing situation in the Middle East, the two sides “underscored the need for restraint, de-escalation, and the resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy”, the FO said. Both sides were satisfied with the positive momentum generated through recent high-level exchanges. Dar had welcomed his Egyptian counterpart at the MoFA and “reaffirmed that Pakistan attaches great importance to its longstanding and brotherly relations with Egypt, anchored in shared history, common faith, and a convergence of views on regional and international issues”. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people and strongly condemned the continued aggression by Israeli occupying forces in Gaza and the West Bank. He appreciated Egypt’s role in facilitating humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, including support extended to Pakistan’s relief efforts. Both sides agreed to continue “close coordination” at multilateral fora, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). “The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Pakistan and Egypt to further strengthen their close and brotherly relations and to deepen cooperation across all areas of mutual interest,” the FO observed. Meeting with Saudi FM Dar also held a separate meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the FO said, adding that the two leaders held detailed discussions on the evolving regional and international developments. “They underscored the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and collective efforts to promote peace, security and stability in the region,” according to the FO. It further stated that the two sides reaffirmed “their commitment for closer engagement” and agreed to continue working together at bilateral and multilateral levels to further strengthen cooperation and contribute to regional peace and prosperity. Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach for peace Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic outreach as it attempts to de-escalate Middle East hostilities sparked by the United States and Israel’s strikes on Iran on February 28, which have engulfed the entire region as Tehran continues its retaliatory attacks. Islamabad has been engaging Washington, Gulf capitals and other Muslim countries in an effort to create space for talks. The quadrilateral meeting was initially planned to be held in Turkiye, but at the last moment it was shifted to Islamabad due to Dar’s inability to travel because of his involvement in Pakistani efforts to facilitate the US-Iran talks. A diplomatic source said talks in Islamabad could take place around Tuesday, led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Another diplomat closely following the talks said there is an expectation that Washington could announce a ceasefire to coincide with the start of dialogue, in line with Tehran’s demand for confidence-building measures. However, the diplomatic source cautioned that all this remained subject to how events would unfold over the next 48 hours. Germany’s FM Johann Wadephul on Friday claimed that a direct US-Iran meeting would take place in Pakistan “very soon”. More to follow Additional input from AFP
DawnMarch 29, 2026 at 05:42 PM UTCPM Shehbaz appreciates Kingdom’s ‘remarkable restraint’ in meeting with Saudi FM
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the “remarkable restraint” exercised by Saudi Arabia amid the Middle East crisis in a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Islamabad, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Sunday. The Saudi foreign minister called upon PM Shehbaz after the conclusion of quadrilateral ministerial meeting in Islamabad, attended by the FMs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye. PM Shehbaz shared with FM Faisal Pakistan’s extensive diplomatic outreach during the current crisis, including mediation efforts for de-escalation and attempts to bring both the United States and Iran to the negotiating table, the PMO said. The Saudi FM also shared the latest Saudi perspective on the regional situation with the prime minister, who assured the visiting dignitary of Pakistan’s full and unwavering solidarity and support. The premier also emphasised Saudi Arabia’s leadership role within the Muslim Ummah and stressed the need to forge unity within Islamic countries at this critical time, the statement said. During the meeting, PM Shehbaz recalled his recent conversations with the Saudi crown prince, including their meeting in Jeddah on March 12. “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to continue to coordinate their positions closely in order to secure peace and stability in the region,” the PMO said. Upon his arrival at PMO, the Saudi foreign minister was received by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and National Security Adviser and Director-General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Asim Malik also participated in the meeting, the PMO said. It added that the prime minister “warmly welcomed the Saudi foreign minister and conveyed his respectful regards for The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and warm greetings for His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince & Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”. Saudi FM arrived in Pakistan on Sunday to participate in the high-level quadrilateral ministerial meeting in Islamabad. After meeting him, PM Shehbaz was also called upon by the foreign ministers of Turkiye and Egypt, who are also in Islamabad to attend the high-level quadrilateral ministerial meeting on the Middle East crisis. According to the PMO, SAPM Fatemi received Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty upon their arrival at the Prime Minister’s House. “The prime minister warmly welcomed the distinguished foreign ministers in his office,” the PMO statement said, adding that Dar and ISI DG Asim Malik were also present in the meeting.
DawnMarch 29, 2026 at 05:29 PM UTCIslamabad to ramp up cooperation with Ankara, Cairo in areas of mutual interest
In separate meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Sunday, the foreign ministers of Turkiye and Egypt reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation across all areas of mutual interest, according to the Foreign Office (FO). The meetings took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on the sidelines of a two-day quadrilateral huddle set to commence today, bringing together the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt. The quadrilateral mechanism is being viewed as a key diplomatic track feeding into wider efforts to end the conflict, with a focus on consolidating regional backing for de-escalation, aligning positions ahead of any possible US-Iran talks, and facilitating dialogue. Though neither Washington nor Tehran are attending the meet, it is still being viewed as a preparatory step toward a broader diplomatic opening. Deputy PM Dar and Türkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in their meeting at the Foreign Office (FO) ahead of the larger talks, “reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Türkiye across all sectors of mutual interest”, according to an FO press release. During the meeting, Dar “underscored the historic and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, rooted in shared history, culture, and mutual respect”. The deputy premier expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations. “The discussions provided an opportunity to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore avenues for strengthening the longstanding strategic partnership between the two brotherly countries,” the FO statement read. “The two leaders also exchanged views on recent regional developments, including the evolving situation in Iran, and emphasised the importance of dialogue and sustained diplomatic engagement to promote peace and stability,” it added. Both sides reaffirmed their “unwavering support for each other’s core national interests, agreed to maintain close coordination, and to continue working together to deepen the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Türkiye”, the FO noted. Several roads leading to Islamabad’s Red Zone — where key government buildings and diplomatic missions are based — were sealed off, AFP reporters said. Security was tight and the driveway of the foreign ministry was decorated with the flags of all four countries. Meeting with Egypt FM Abdelatty Prior to the discussions with the Turkish FM, Dar held a separate meeting with Egyptian FM Dr Badr Abdelatty, with the two reaffirming their countries’ “commitment to further strengthening cooperation across all domains”, the FO said in a press release. Abdelatty’s visit is regarded as a “follow-up to recent high-level contacts between the two sides”, including discussions held in Riyadh earlier this month, as well as the Egyptian FM’s Pakistan trip in Nov 2025, during which he met with Dar, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. The FO said the meetings reflect the “close coordination between Pakistan and Egypt on evolving regional developments”. As both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, they expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of defence and security cooperation, agreeing to further strengthen collaboration through training exchanges and other institutional mechanisms, the FO said. They stressed the need to enhance bilateral trade and investment, with agreement on the importance of activating bilateral mechanisms, including a Joint Ministerial Commission, and promoting business-to-business linkages. Dar “appreciated Egypt’s continued support in the health sector, particularly in combating Hepatitis-C, and welcomed ongoing collaboration in this area”, the statement further said. Discussing the ongoing situation in the Middle East, the two sides “underscored the need for restraint, de-escalation, and the resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy”, the FO said. Both sides were satisfied with the positive momentum generated through recent high-level exchanges. Dar had welcomed his Egyptian counterpart at the MoFA and “reaffirmed that Pakistan attaches great importance to its longstanding and brotherly relations with Egypt, anchored in shared history, common faith, and a convergence of views on regional and international issues”. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people and strongly condemned the continued aggression by Israeli occupying forces in Gaza and the West Bank. He appreciated Egypt’s role in facilitating humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, including support extended to Pakistan’s relief efforts. Both sides agreed to continue “close coordination” at multilateral fora, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). “The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Pakistan and Egypt to further strengthen their close and brotherly relations and to deepen cooperation across all areas of mutual interest,” the FO observed. Quadrilateral meeting DPM Dar will chair the two-day quadrilateral meeting later today, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. The participants of the meeting are set to hold “in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region”, according to the FO. They will also call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Egyptian FM Abdelatty and Turkiye’s FM Hakan Fidan landed in Pakistan on Saturday night, while Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud arrived on Sunday afternoon. The Saudi foreign ministry said he had also met Dar following his arrival, but did not share any details of what was discussed. Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach for peace Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic outreach as it attempts to de-escalate Middle East hostilities sparked by the United States and Israel’s strikes on Iran on February 28, which have engulfed the entire region as Tehran continues its retaliatory attacks. Islamabad has been engaging Washington, Gulf capitals and other Muslim countries in an effort to create space for talks. The quadrilateral meeting was initially planned to be held in Turkiye, but at the last moment it was shifted to Islamabad due to Dar’s inability to travel because of his involvement in Pakistani efforts to facilitate the US-Iran talks. A diplomatic source said talks in Islamabad could take place around Tuesday, led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Another diplomat closely following the talks said there is an expectation that Washington could announce a ceasefire to coincide with the start of dialogue, in line with Tehran’s demand for confidence-building measures. However, the diplomatic source cautioned that all this remained subject to how events would unfold over the next 48 hours. Germany’s FM Johann Wadephul on Friday claimed that a direct US-Iran meeting would take place in Pakistan “very soon”. More to follow Additional input from AFP
DawnMarch 29, 2026 at 11:48 AM UTC