ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will depart for the Philippines on Tuesday night to participate in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Deputy PM is expected to hold a series of high-level bilateral meetings with key regional and global counterparts, including the foreign ministers of China and Russia, diplomatic sources told WE News English.
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held amid a deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and is expected to discuss renewed military exchanges between the United States and Iran.
Dar to meet Chinese, Russian counterparts in Manila
According to diplomatic sources, Dar’s expected meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and several ASEAN foreign ministers will focus on the escalating Middle East crisis, Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote de-escalation, regional connectivity, Pakistan’s relations with ASEAN and broader geopolitical developments.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today joined the ASEAN Foreign Ministers in the Retreat Session of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in Manila, the Philippines. Chaired by the Chair of AMM 2026 and Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the… pic.twitter.com/BhI2apbadh
— ASEAN (@ASEAN) July 21, 2026
The meetings come at a critical time as Washington and Tehran have resumed hostilities despite the peace roadmap agreed last month under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (Islamabad MoU), which was facilitated through Pakistan’s mediation.
Although the latest escalation has threatened the fragile gains achieved through dialogue, both sides have continued to signal their willingness to return to negotiations through trusted intermediaries.
Pakistan seeks to revive US-Iran dialogue through diplomacy
Diplomatic sources said Pakistan will use these meetings to consult closely with China, Russia and ASEAN partners on ways to revive diplomatic momentum and encourage all parties to return to negotiations.
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Islamabad continues to maintain that there is no military solution to the crisis and has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, protection of civilians and a negotiated settlement.
Middle East crisis tops agenda at ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting
The ASEAN Regional Forum has also placed the Middle East conflict high on its agenda amid growing concerns over its impact on global energy security, maritime trade and regional stability.
Member states are expected to reiterate calls for restraint, the restoration of safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and renewed diplomatic engagement.
Officials believe Dar’s consultations in Manila will further reinforce Pakistan’s role as a credible facilitator of dialogue between Washington and Tehran while strengthening coordination with China, Russia and ASEAN member states in support of regional peace and stability.
Besides the Middle East situation, Dar is also expected to discuss Pakistan’s expanding engagement with ASEAN, regional economic cooperation, connectivity initiatives and other strategic issues with participating foreign ministers.
Following the ASEAN meetings, Dar will travel to Kyrgyzstan on July 23 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on July 24, where regional security, connectivity, economic cooperation and key international issues are expected to figure prominently on the agenda.
