Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. SCREENSHOT
ANTALYA:
Pakistan and three major regional powers closed ranks on Saturday, reaffirming coordinated diplomatic action to manage escalating tensions in the Middle East, as their foreign ministers met on the sidelines of a major international forum.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum 2026.
The meeting comes amid ongoing efforts to prevent a further escalation of the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran and to maintain a fragile ceasefire that expires on April 22.
FO said the four ministers “exchanged views on evolving regional dynamics, reaffirming the vital role of dialogue and diplomacy in promoting peace, stability and shared prosperity.”
“Foreign Ministers expressed a shared commitment to advancing this partnership, deepening coordination and expanding collaboration in key areas of mutual interest.”
The commitment follows two earlier rounds of consultations between the same countries, first in Riyadh on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting and then in Islamabad, both aimed at ending the war.
Islamabad has since stepped up its diplomatic efforts, including holding direct Iran-US talks on April 11, the highest-level engagement between the two sides since 1979.
Although the negotiations ended without a deal, they did not fail and reports suggest a second round could take place in Islamabad next week.
Egypt’s foreign minister said Cairo was working closely with Islamabad on a framework to ensure a lasting settlement between Washington and Tehran.
He said Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were coordinating a broader regional initiative to prevent further escalation and shape a post-war security arrangement, with a particular focus on safeguarding Gulf states.
