Turkish and Egyptian foreign ministers have arrived in Islamabad for “in-depth talks,” while Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal is expected to join today.
Pakistan is set to host a quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt on March 29–30 in Islamabad. The discussions will cover a range of issues, including efforts to ease the ongoing regional tensions amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Islamabad has increasingly positioned itself as a key mediator between Iran and the United States, facilitating communication as the war continues.
The meeting aims to explore diplomatic avenues to end the nearly month-long conflict, which began on February 28 and has reverberated across the broader Middle East.
Ahead of the talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty arrived in Islamabad a day early on official visits.
Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is expected to arrive in Islamabad today.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister arrived at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was warmly welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
During the meeting, both sides discussed rising tensions in the Middle East as well as ways to strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and Egypt.
Two days earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Pakistan was facilitating indirect talks between the United States and Iran, with Turkey and Egypt also contributing to the efforts.
These efforts included direct communication between Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump on Sunday, as confirmed by the White House. Following this, Pakistan conveyed a US proposal to Iran, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Wednesday. The source did not disclose the details or confirm whether it was the 15-point US framework reported by media outlets.
Iran, however, rejected the proposal, insisting it would end the ongoing “imposed war” on its own terms and timeline, according to a senior political-security official cited by Press TV. The country outlined five conditions for ending the conflict: a complete halt to “aggression and assassinations,” mechanisms to prevent future war, guaranteed reparations, resolution across all fronts and resistance groups, and international recognition of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.
As part of the diplomatic preparations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a detailed phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday, lasting over an hour. This marked the second conversation between the two leaders in five days, focusing on de-escalation and dialogue.
“I reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including recent strikes on civilian infrastructure, and conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity with the brave people of Iran,” the PM wrote on X. He also expressed condolences for the tragic loss of life and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and displaced.
“I briefed him on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, engaging the United States as well as friendly Gulf and Islamic countries, to promote dialogue and de-escalation,” the Prime Minister said.
The PM’s office added that President Pezeshkian “emphasized the importance of building trust to facilitate talks and mediation.”
Dialogue and diplomacy
In a separate development, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. According to a Foreign Office statement, the two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation and recent developments.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable paths to lasting peace.
He also highlighted the importance of ending all attacks and hostilities.
Dar reaffirmed that Pakistan remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at restoring regional peace and stability.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable paths to lasting peace.
He also highlighted the importance of ending all attacks and hostilities.
Dar reaffirmed that Pakistan remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at restoring regional peace and stability.
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