ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has stressed the importance of uninterrupted energy supplies in a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday said the two discussed the latest regional developments.
Dar also emphasised the importance of safe and expeditious passage of ships, particularly given their implications for developing countries and global supply chains.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi @Araghchi today.
The two discussed the latest regional developments. DPM/FM stressed the importance of uninterrupted energy supplies and the safe and… pic.twitter.com/2twilzszgm
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 19, 2026
He underscored that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable means to ensure peace and stability in the region.
The two agreed to maintain close cooperation and to meet in New York on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly.
Pakistan urges US, Iran to implement Islamabad MoU
Pakistan on Thursday urged the United States and Iran to implement the commitments agreed under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and return to the negotiating table, saying diplomacy remained essential to achieving regional and international peace and security.
Speaking at the UN Security Council, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Islamabad continued to advocate diplomatic engagement and a peaceful resolution of outstanding issues related to Iran’s nuclear programme.
“On its part, Pakistan continues with its efforts to promote peace and stability in the region, building upon the solid foundation provided by the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” Pakistan’s Permanent Representative said.
Pakistan remains concerned that the consideration of Iran nuclear issue, including by the Security Council, has become further complicated over a period of time. We have clearly come a long way from the spirit of cooperation and peaceful settlement of disputes that characterized… pic.twitter.com/1tyEBz1LK9
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) September 17, 2026
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan continues to believe that diplomacy and dialogue remain the guiding principle for the resolution of outstanding issues concerning Iran’s nuclear programme. “Pakistan has consistently advocated the primacy of diplomatic engagement and the imperative of avoiding confrontation and conflict,” Pakistan’s Permanent Representative said.
ALSO READ: Pakistan Urges US, Iran to Implement Islamabad MoU Commitments, Return to Nuclear Talks
“We reiterate our position that the Iran nuclear issue should be addressed through peaceful means and in accordance with the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the parties concerned,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said.
Global trade and food prices at risk
Earlier on Friday, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said that global trade is facing its most severe disruption in eight decades as supply chain bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz threaten to drive up food and fertiliser prices.
Speaking on the sidelines of the WTO’s Public Forum in Geneva, Okonjo-Iweala said the global trading system remained resilient, but the ongoing conflict in the Middle East was posing a major test for the organisation’s 166 member countries.
She noted that global trade in goods had grown by an unexpectedly strong 4.6 per cent this year despite geopolitical pressures, while 72 per cent of global commerce continued to operate under WTO rules.
The WTO had initially projected overall growth in goods trade at 1.9 per cent for the year. However, first-quarter growth reached 3.2 per cent, exceeding expectations and reflecting continued resilience in global trade despite mounting geopolitical risks.
