ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a series of high-level engagements with his regional counterparts on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of Arab-Islamic countries in Riyadh, as Pakistan intensified diplomatic outreach on evolving regional tensions.
The meeting, hosted by Saudi Arabia, brought together the foreign ministers of several key countries, including Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates to deliberate on recent regional developments, a Foreign Office statement said on Thursday.
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Visit of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister to Saudi Arabia to attend Ministerial meeting of Arab and Islamic Countries https://t.co/I0iaqHov1s https://t.co/SHH2WkMZkQ pic.twitter.com/C4gGRmJnzK
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 19, 2026
During the session, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of all brotherly countries in the region, while calling for an immediate halt to attacks against their territories.
Emphasising the importance of unity within the Muslim Ummah, he urged a swift end to the ongoing conflict and reiterated Pakistan’s consistent call for dialogue and diplomacy.
It was great to join 11 Foreign Ministers colleagues in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to deliberate and discuss the current regional situation and way forward.
May Allah SWT bless the Muslim Ummah with His Kindness and Mercy. Ameen🤲 pic.twitter.com/7b9xl8NJR7
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) March 19, 2026
Highlighting the need to address the root causes of the crisis, the Deputy Prime Minister strongly condemned Israel’s continued aggression and provocations against regional states.
He also denounced attacks on civilians, as well as on energy and critical infrastructure, stressing that such actions must cease immediately.
Dar further cautioned against any steps that could undermine regional and global energy security, warning that disruptions could exacerbate existing economic challenges worldwide.
He briefed participants on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to playing a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region.
“During the visit, the DPM/FM conveyed a message of strong solidarity and unwavering support to the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan,” the statement said.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan @FaisalbinFarhan; the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan @HakanFidan; and the Minister of Foreign… pic.twitter.com/hD7mbVdQw8
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 19, 2026
Dar also met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Foreign Minister Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, where discussions focused on the evolving regional situation and avenues for cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met late last evening with Hakan Fidan @HakanFidan, Foreign Minister of Turkey, on the sidelines of the Consultative Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh.
Both sides discussed evolving regional developments… pic.twitter.com/uFafc2uBwI
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 19, 2026
Additionally, the Deputy Prime Minister participated in a quadrilateral meeting involving the foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, held on the margins of the broader ministerial gathering.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, said the Kingdom “reserves the right” to take military action against Iran if attacks on its territory continue, warning that Riyadh will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty and economic interests.
“The kingdom is not going to succumb to pressure, and on the contrary, this pressure will backfire… and certainly, as we have stated quite clearly, we have reserved the right to take military actions if deemed necessary,” he said.
He urged Iran to “review its misjudgments” and immediately halt attacks on Gulf states, warning that continued escalation “will not bring any gains.”
