Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar arrived in Islamabad on Monday morning after completing his official visit to Egypt and a short overnight transit in Saudi Arabia. The journey followed his departure from Cairo on Sunday evening, where he participated in significant diplomatic engagements.
During his return trip, Dar made a brief stop in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, to visit the revered Al-Masjid-e-Nabawi, underscoring the spiritual dimension of his travels.
In a significant development, prior to his arrival in Saudi Arabia, the foreign minister took part in the fourth meeting of the R-4 framework in Cairo. This high-level gathering convened the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan to address urgent regional security challenges and explore avenues for lasting stability in the Middle East.
The session concentrated on ongoing de-escalation efforts, with a particular focus on regional mediation initiatives amid recent diplomatic shifts. The ministers also examined the security situation in Lebanon, emphasizing the need for a unified diplomatic approach to reduce cross-border tensions and maintain peace in the region.
Alongside the multilateral discussions, FM Dar engaged in bilateral talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. These meetings centered on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and security matters.
The R-4 framework, established earlier this year, serves as a coordinated platform for these four nations to align their diplomatic strategies in response to regional crises.
Following his return, Deputy Prime Minister Dar is set to brief Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal cabinet on the strategic outcomes of the Cairo summit and Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.