Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia were “totally unacceptable”.
He made the remarks while addressing a joint press conference after the 8th session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) alongside Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who is currently on an official visit to Pakistan.
At the outset of his presser, Dar said that the two sides would sign a protocol with regard to the commission.
He said that this reflected “a shared resolve to further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest”. He said that the two sides would also sign an agreement for mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
“Pakistan-Oman friendship remains strong and forward-looking,” he told media. The two ministers would after the press conference sign “a number of bilateral agreements”, Dar said.
He added that the two ministers had also agreed to hold a business-to-business investment forum in Pakistan.
The ministers discussed the situation in Gulf as well, he said, adding that “Pakistan remained committed to contributing constructively to diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region”.
Dar said that the two sides also exchanged views on recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. He said that he conveyed Pakistan’s condemnation of the attacks.
“I underscored that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are totally unacceptable. My brother [Albusaidi] actually fully endorses this. Violations of international law pose a serious threat to regional peace and security,” he said.
“I reaffirmed Pakistan’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and our unwavering commitment to the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security in accordance with the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement,” he said.
They also “emphasised the urgent need for unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza”, Dar said.
DPM Dar also stressed that India’s unilateral abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty was “a material breach of international law”.
“This action threatens the water, food and energy security of Pakistan’s 250 million people,” Dar said.
Speaking at the occasion, Albusaidi said the JMC had “provided an important opportunity to review the state of bilateral relations”. He said that two sides “reaffirmed the strength of the longstanding ties” between the two countries.
“Both Oman and Pakistan attach great importance to dialogue and diplomacy as essential means of addressing regional challenges, easing tensions and promoting peace and stability,” Albusaidi said.
He also appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic role in the US-Iran war. He reaffirmed the two countries’ “shared commitment to further deepening our bilateral partnership and broadening cooperation across centres of mutual benefit”.
The two countries agreed that dialogue and diplomacy were “the only way forward” to resolve regional conflicts, Dar said in response to a reporter’s question.
“We are both on the same page,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dar told reporters that a free trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) would help expand business activities, adding that he was told that barring one, all countries had consented to the agreement.
Responding to a question about the gaps in between bilateral talks between the two countries, Dar said Albusaidi’s visit was previously delayed because Pakistan had been involved in mediation efforts between US and Iran.
Albusaidi added that discussions had continued “behind the scenes”.
Responding to a question about the Strait of Hormuz, Albusaidi said that Oman was committed to “unhindered navigation” through the strait “because of its vitality to the global economy and the region”.
Dar commends Albusaidi’s efforts towards regional peace
Albusaidi arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday on a two-day visit.
Speaking at the outset of the 8th session of the JMC, Dar said the two had “worked out” certain areas of bilateral interest and discussed global issues in detail, including the US-Iran war, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab and Gaza in their restricted meeting.
Dar said the two sides had also discussed Jammu and Kashmir and other pressing regional issues. He commended Albusaidi’s leadership and efforts towards regional peace in the Middle East.
“I personally greatly admire your efforts. I know how much hard work you have put in,” he said, noting that Pakistan’s position on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was “very unique”.
“We are members of both the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and, obviously, the United Nations and other multilateral bodies,” Dar said.
He stressed, “There should not be any long gaps between bilateral engagements,” noting potential in the areas of trade, economic activities and investment opportunities.
Dar said he had promised to visit Oman in 2027 to hold the next session of the commission there. He added that both sides had identified areas of mutual interest and discussed possible meetings.
He said Pakistan and Oman cooperated closely and cordially, adding that although their diplomatic relations had completed 55 years, their ties went back “centuries”.
Dar said the two countries shared a history of “love and affection”, particularly in relation to Balochistan and Gwadar. Referring to discussions on Bab al-Mandeb and recent developments involving the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, Dar said both sides shared similar views on resolving regional issues.
He said the impact of regional tensions was also visible in Pakistan, where energy supply chains had been affected, and fuel prices had skyrocketed, adding that the “common man could not afford the resulting burden.”
Speaking on the occasion, Albusaidi said Oman was committed to further strengthening bilateral engagement and cooperation in various fields that could bring greater benefits to the people of both countries.
“I am delighted to be here with my delegation in Islamabad this morning, in this very warm, friendly and brotherly country, Pakistan, with which, as you have rightly said, we share bonds of history, culture, tradition and unity,” he said.
He said the Pakistan-Oman JMC was one of the mechanisms for exploring further avenues of collaboration, adding that the two countries also had a business council and a political consultation mechanism between their foreign ministers.
“We can do much more, and as we made a joint commitment this morning to make this meeting a success, I believe the more we do, the more we can deliver on the promise and the aspiration of our leaderships and our people,” Albusaidi said.
He also commended Pakistan’s role in supporting dialogue and diplomacy in the region.
“Your efforts to encourage engagement, understanding, respect and recognition are commendable, and I salute you for all your efforts,” he said, adding that Oman greatly appreciated Pakistan’s role in providing space for dialogue between Iran and the US.
Albusaidi said there was significant potential for economic cooperation between Oman and Pakistan, particularly in trade, logistics, port connectivity, energy and food security.
“The potential exists, and our task is to remove any obstacles and create the conditions that allow businesses to thrive so that we can fully benefit from this potential,” he said.
He also called for greater cooperation in tourism, academic and technological fields, as well as more regular exchanges between the people of the two countries.
“Once again, I appreciate the efforts of our private sector and industrial partners,” Albusaidi said, adding that he looked forward to further discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Dar, Omani FM call for sustained bilateral engagement
Earlier in the day, Dar held a meeting with Albusaidi ahead of the JMC session, the Foreign Office (FO) said.
The two ministers reaffirmed the close, fraternal ties between Pakistan and Oman and underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, particularly trade, investment and people-to-people contacts, according to the FO.
“The two sides also exchanged views on regional developments and emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in advancing lasting peace and stability”, the FO said.
Albusaidi commended Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and security, while Dar acknowledged and appreciated Oman’s constructive role and shared aspirations for regional peace and stability, the statement added.
A day earlier, the Foreign Office (FO) said the JMC session would review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Oman bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation.
The visit “reflects the longstanding fraternal relations between Pakistan and Oman and is expected to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation
Last week, DPM Dar chaired an inter-ministerial meeting in Islamabad to review preparations for the upcoming JMC session, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.
The meeting reviewed the agenda, bilateral agreements, and arrangements for the co-chairing of the JMC session, it said.