Both sides discuss current regional and international developments and emphasize the importance of urgent de-escalation.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. Photos: File
Qatar’s Prime Minister on Saturday praised Pakistan for its efforts to promote peace through dialogue and diplomacy in the Middle East in a call with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, following heightened tensions after the US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Tensions in the Middle East sharply escalated after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes last month assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region. In response to these strikes, Iran launched retaliation against US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.
Pakistan has since stepped up diplomatic efforts to play its role in easing tensions and has become a key mediator between the United States and Iran in their ongoing conflict that has spread to the Gulf region.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on X today, FM Dar held talks with the Qatari Prime Minister and FM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman.
“The two leaders discussed current regional and international developments and highlighted the importance of urgent de-escalation. The Qatari side appreciated Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy.”
The ministry said both sides reaffirmed the deep ties between Pakistan and Qatar and agreed to remain in close contact over the developing situation.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani @PM_AlThani_.
The two leaders discussed regional trends and… pic.twitter.com/GzQsYSRjyf
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 28, 2026
FM Dar also had a telephone conversation with his Indonesian counterpart Sugiono, discussing regional and international developments, as well as bilateral issues of mutual interest.
“Reaffirming the strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and Indonesia, they agreed to remain in close contact.”
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 today had a telephone conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Sugiono @Menlu_RI.
They discussed regional and international developments, as well as bilateral issues of mutual interest.… pic.twitter.com/G3DBnXrbkZ
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 28, 2026
Earlier today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt would visit Islamabad from March 29 to 30 at the invitation of FM Dar.
Learn more: Why is Pakistan participating in efforts to end the war in Iran?
All four countries have attempted to mediate between Washington and Tehran in the war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, and all are extremely vulnerable to threats to their energy supplies and trade routes.
Pakistan had conveyed to Tehran a US proposal to end the war and offered to host talks, with Iranian officials indicating negotiations could take place in Pakistan or Turkey.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly offered Pakistan as a venue for U.S.-Iran peace talks, an offer that received extraordinary momentum when President Donald Trump reposted it on his Truth Social platform, a move widely seen in Islamabad as Washington’s tacit endorsement of Pakistan’s emerging role as mediator.
On Thursday, FM Dar had confirmed that indirect communication between the United States and Iran was underway through messages relayed by Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt also supporting diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East.
