On March 18, Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, took part in a significant gathering of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic nations convened in Riyadh. The meeting focused on the rapidly changing dynamics and challenges facing the region, highlighting the urgent need for collaborative approaches to restore peace and stability. Hosted by Saudi Arabia, the summit brought together key diplomatic figures from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar, alongside representatives from Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates, reflecting a broad spectrum of regional interests and concerns.
During the discussions, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of all countries in the region. He underscored the critical importance of halting all forms of aggression and attacks on national territories, advocating for a unified stance among Muslim nations to confront shared challenges. His remarks called attention to the necessity of solidarity within the Muslim Ummah as a foundation for lasting peace and cooperation.
Further elaborating on Pakistan’s position, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed the urgent need to bring the ongoing conflicts to an immediate halt. He championed dialogue and diplomatic engagement as the most effective and sustainable means to resolve disputes, urging all parties to prioritize negotiations over hostilities. Dar also highlighted the importance of addressing the underlying causes of the crises, suggesting that without tackling these root issues, peace efforts would remain fragile and incomplete.
In a pointed critique, Dar condemned the persistent acts of aggression and provocations attributed to Israel, particularly targeting civilians, energy infrastructure, and other vital facilities. He warned that such actions not only exacerbate regional tensions but also pose a serious threat to both regional and global energy security. His remarks reflected growing concerns about the broader implications of these conflicts on international stability and economic well-being.
Throughout the meeting, Dar provided an update on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at fostering peace and stability in the region. He reiterated the country’s commitment to playing a constructive and proactive role in supporting efforts that promote harmony and cooperation among neighboring states. The summit concluded with the issuance of a joint statement, signaling a collective resolve to pursue peaceful solutions and enhance regional security.
In addition to the plenary sessions, Ishaq Dar used the opportunity to express Pakistan’s solidarity with the Saudi foreign minister, reinforcing the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. On the sidelines, he engaged in bilateral talks with Hakan Fidan of Turkey and Jeyhun Bayramov of Azerbaijan, where they exchanged views on the latest developments affecting the region. Moreover, Dar participated in a quadrilateral meeting involving foreign ministers from key regional countries, further underscoring Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement in addressing complex regional issues.
