ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia were “totally unacceptable”.
The Deputy PM made the remarks while addressing a joint press conference alongside Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who is currently on an official visit to Pakistan, following the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a Joint Press Stakeout with the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Sayyid Badr Bin Hamad Bin Hamood Albusaidi @badralbusaidi (14 October 2026) https://t.co/AZHP8ecw1o
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 14, 2026
The foreign ministers discussed the situation in the Gulf as well, Ishaq Dar said, adding that “Pakistan remained committed to contributing constructively to diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region”.
Deputy PM Dar said that the two sides also exchanged views on recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. He said that he conveyed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the attacks.
“I underscored that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are totally unacceptable. My brother [Albusaidi] actually fully endorses this. Violations of international law pose a serious threat to regional peace and security,” he said.
“I reaffirmed Pakistan’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and our unwavering commitment to the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security in accordance with the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement,” Dar said.
During the press conference, Ishaq Dar said that the two sides would sign a protocol relating to the commission.
He said that this reflected “a shared resolve to further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest”. He said that the two sides would also sign an agreement for mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
“Pakistan-Oman friendship remains strong and forward-looking,” he said. The two ministers would also sign “a number of bilateral agreements” later in the day, Dar said.
He added that the two ministers had also agreed to hold a business-to-business investment forum in Pakistan.
They also “emphasised the urgent need for unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza”, Dar said.
Deputy PM Dar also stressed that India’s unilateral abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty was “a material breach of international law”.
“This action threatens the water, food and energy security of Pakistan’s 250 million people,” Dar said.
Speaking at the occasion, Albusaidi said the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission had “provided an important opportunity to review the state of bilateral relations”. He said that two sides “reaffirmed the strength of the longstanding ties” between the two countries.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a joint press stakeout with the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi. https://t.co/SAJzHONmNt
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 14, 2026
“Both Oman and Pakistan attach great importance to dialogue and diplomacy as essential means of addressing regional challenges, easing tensions and promoting peace and stability,” Albusaidi said.
He also appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic role in the US-Iran war. He reaffirmed the two countries’ “shared commitment to further deepening our bilateral partnership and broadening cooperation across centres of mutual benefit”.
🔊 PR No. 2️⃣8️⃣8️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 during Joint Press Stakeout with the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Sayyid Badr Bin Hamad Bin Hamood Albusaidi (14 October 2026)
🔗⬇️ https://t.co/LYrDyrJsEQ
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 14, 2026
The two countries agreed that dialogue and diplomacy were “the only way forward” to resolve regional conflicts, Dar said in response to a reporter’s question. “We are both on the same page,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dar told reporters that a free trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) would help expand business activities, adding that he was told that barring one, all countries had consented to the agreement.
Responding to a question, Dar said Albusaidi’s visit was previously delayed because Pakistan had been involved in mediation efforts between the US and Iran. Albusaidi added that discussions had continued “behind the scenes”.
Responding to a question about the Strait of Hormuz, Albusaidi said that Oman was committed to “unhindered navigation” through the strait “because of its vitality to the global economy and the region”.
The meeting of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission was co-chaired by Dar and Albusaidi.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and Foreign Minister of Oman H.E. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi @badralbusaidi co-chaired the 8th Session of the Pakistan–Oman Joint Ministerial Commission in Islamabad today.
The two sides reaffirmed their close fraternal ties and commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, maritime and logistics connectivity, agriculture, industry, energy, workforce mobility, human resource development, education, IT, media and climate change, among other areas.
Both Ministers emphasized the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties, facilitating workforce mobility, and promoting exchanges of business delegations from both countries to unlock new opportunities for trade, investment and institutional collaboration.
DPM/FM stressed the need for timely implementation of agreed outcomes through close institutional coordination and sustained engagement between Joint Working Group meetings.
The Omani Foreign Minister thanked Pakistan for its warm hospitality, appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and security, and reaffirmed Oman’s commitment to further strengthening the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 14, 2026
The two sides “reaffirmed their close fraternal ties and commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, maritime and logistics connectivity, agriculture, industry, energy, workforce mobility, human resource development, education, IT, media and climate change, among other areas”, the Foreign Office (FO) said.
Both ministers emphasised the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties, facilitating workforce mobility, and promoting exchanges of business delegations from both countries to unlock new opportunities for trade, investment and institutional collaboration.
