Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called for urgent diplomatic engagement to de-escalate Middle Eastern tensions during high-level summits in Istanbul. The landmark meetings brought together foreign ministers from Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—collectively known as the R4 group—alongside counterparts from France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Discussions focused primarily on escalating security threats across the Gulf region, their economic impacts, and growing risks to international shipping lanes. Consequently, Dar briefed international delegates on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic mediation efforts aimed at preventing the expansion of regional hostilities.
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The multilateral gathering marked the very first meeting combining the R4 group with major European diplomatic leadership. European delegates, including British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband, advocated for diplomatic resolutions to protect vital maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb. Foreign ministers expressed severe concern over military escalations and recent Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure. All eight participating foreign ministers agreed to maintain continuous consultations through this expanded diplomatic channel to safeguard international trade routes.
Alongside the expanded summit, Dar participated in the sixth core R4 foreign ministers’ meeting alongside Turkish, Egyptian, and Saudi counterparts. 4 regional ministers expressed strong solidarity with Saudi Arabia, reaffirming unconditional support for the kingdom’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The discussions also emphasized collective security commitments established under the Makkah Defence Agreement signed between Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, participating diplomats condemned unprovoked cross-border strikes against Saudi facilities, emphasizing that regional stability requires strict respect for state sovereignty.
On the sidelines of the Istanbul summits, Dar conducted crucial bilateral meetings with key European and Middle Eastern counterparts. During talks with Turkish FM Hakan Fidan, Dar offered sincere condolences over recent flooding losses in Turkiye. In a separate meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, both sides agreed to boost economic cooperation across pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and agriculture. Additionally, Dar conferred with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, welcoming Germany’s constructive involvement in Middle Eastern peace initiatives.
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International observers view the joint Istanbul summits as a vital step toward bridging European and Middle Eastern security policies. High-level delegates concluded the sessions by pledging enhanced intelligence coordination and joint diplomatic initiatives across volatile border zones. Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials confirmed that Pakistan will remain actively engaged in multilateral conflict resolution frameworks. Ultimately, Islamabad continues positioning itself as a central diplomatic mediator committed to restoring global economic and maritime stability.