News Desk: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will arrive in Riyadh on Wednesday to attend a crucial meeting of regional foreign ministers, aiming to address the escalating Middle East crisis and push for an immediate ceasefire.
According to the Foreign Office, the visit comes at a critical time as tensions continue to rise following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran on US military bases and assets across Gulf countries. The worsening security situation has raised global concerns about a wider regional conflict.
Dar is visiting Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, where he will participate in discussions from March 18 to 19. During the meeting, he is expected to reaffirm Pakistan’s strong support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of all regional states.
Pakistan will highlight its role as a “bridge builder”
He will also call for an immediate halt to hostilities, urging all parties to avoid further escalation and return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path to peace in the Middle East.
Officials said Pakistan will highlight its role as a key diplomatic player and “bridge builder” in the region, emphasizing ongoing efforts to promote peace, stability, and conflict resolution through engagement with all stakeholders.
The high-level meeting in Riyadh will also be attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, where leaders will review the evolving regional security landscape and explore possible diplomatic solutions.
This marks the third high-level visit from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia since the conflict intensified. Earlier, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir held talks with Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, focusing on regional security cooperation.
In a separate engagement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, expressing full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged Pakistan’s support
Saudi Arabia remains among the countries impacted during Iran’s retaliatory strikes, further heightening concerns about instability in the Gulf region.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Pakistan’s leadership has maintained active diplomatic outreach, engaging with key regional players and consistently advocating for de-escalation, restraint, and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Recently, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged Pakistan’s support, thanking both the government and the people for their solidarity during the ongoing crisis involving the United States and Israel.
With tensions still high, Pakistan continues to push for urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and ensure long-term peace in the Middle East.
