ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that the United States and Iran had expressed confidence in Pakistan to “facilitate the talks," during a press briefing.
Addressing the press after quadrilateral talks among the foreign ministers of Egypt, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Dar said it would be an honour to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days for a “comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict”.
The high-level engagements come amid intensifying hostilities following US-Israeli strikes on Iran that have triggered retaliatory attacks across the Gulf, raising concerns over a wider regional conflict and disruption to global energy flows.
Pakistan has positioned itself as a key diplomatic interlocutor, maintaining contacts with regional and global stakeholders while advocating dialogue and restraint.
Dar said the foreign ministers advocated “dialogue and diplomacy” as the “only viable” pathway to prevent conflict and promote regional peace and harmony.
“We called for upholding principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states,” he said.
The foreign minister added that the participants also discussed ways to further strengthen mutual cooperation among the four countries.
He expressed “profound gratitude” to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt for their support for Pakistan’s efforts for peace in the region.
“We have remained actively involved in all efforts and initiatives aimed at bringing this conflict to an end,” he said.
Highlighting Pakistan’s relations with the United States, Dar said Islamabad has a very “important relationship” with Washington and that the two sides have engaged to “de-escalate” the situation and find a “peaceful resolution of the conflict”.
“We have remained actively engaged with the US leadership as part of our efforts to de-escalate the situation and find a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” he said.
He added that Pakistan would be honored 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 also highlighted the “full support” of China for Pakistan’s initiative to host Iran-US talks.
While highlighting support from world leaders, including the UN secretary-general, the foreign minister said there was strong appreciation and backing among partners for Pakistan’s efforts.
Saudi restraint
During a meeting between Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the latter appreciated the “remarkable restraint” exercised by Riyadh amid the current crisis, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to continue coordinating their positions closely to promote peace and stability in the region, the statement said.
The Saudi foreign minister called on the prime minister in Islamabad after consultations among the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye.
The prime minister welcomed the Saudi foreign minister and conveyed his regards to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, as well as greetings to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the statement said.
Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s “full and unwavering solidarity” with Saudi Arabia while appreciating the Kingdom’s restraint during the crisis.
The Saudi foreign minister thanked the prime minister for receiving him and shared the “latest Saudi perspective on the regional situation”.
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