Islamabad: Amid the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran, Pakistan’s senior leadership is convening a high-level meeting today, chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari, to deliberate on the country’s mediation efforts in the Middle East crisis.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, key cabinet members, senior military officials, and provincial chief ministers are expected to participate in the session. The agenda includes a detailed review of the evolving situation in the Middle East and Pakistan’s role in facilitating peace talks.
In a significant development, the meeting will also assess the repercussions of recent attacks on Gulf countries. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will provide an update on a quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers held yesterday, which focused on advancing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
Additionally, the session will evaluate Pakistan’s current petroleum reserves and fuel supply status, considering the impact of regional instability on energy prices. Discussions will extend to the country’s austerity measures and the progress made in their implementation.
Participants will also be briefed on the potential introduction of smart lockdowns and other related restrictions, with provincial suggestions on these measures being reviewed. The meeting aims to finalize decisions on subsidizing fuel for motorbike riders and rickshaw drivers, addressing the economic strain caused by rising petroleum costs linked to the Middle East war.
Notably, Pakistan recently hosted a summit of four foreign ministers to bolster peace initiatives amid the escalating conflict. The meeting in Islamabad brought together the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Chaired by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the gathering included Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Turkey’s Hakan Fidan, and Egypt’s Dr. Badr Abdelatty, focusing on coordinated diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.
