- Meeting aimed at easing tensions in the context of war in the Middle East.
- Pakistan appears as mediator between Iran and the United States.
- The foreign ministers of Türkiye and Egypt are arriving, the Saudi foreign ministers are expected in Islamabad.
Pakistan is all set to host a quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt on March 29-30 in Islamabad to deliberate on various issues, including efforts to reduce current tensions in the region amid the US-Israel war against Iran.
Islamabad has become a key facilitator between Iran and the United States as their war drags on, serving as an intermediary for messages between the two sides.
The meeting comes amid efforts to open a diplomatic window to end the nearly month-long war between the United States, Israel and Iran, which began on February 28 and has affected the entire Middle East.
In this regard, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty arrived in Islamabad a day earlier for an official visit.
Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is expected to arrive today.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was warmly welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Ishaq Dar.
During the meeting, both sides discussed tensions in the Middle East as well as strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Egypt.
Two days earlier, DPM Dar confirmed that indirect talks between the United States and Iran were underway through messages relayed by Pakistan, with Turkey and Egypt also contributing to the effort.
These efforts included direct contact between Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump on Sunday, confirmed by the White House.
Subsequently, Pakistan submitted a US proposal to Iran, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Wednesday. The source did not reveal details of the proposal or confirm whether it was the US 15-point framework reported by media.
However, Iran rejected the US proposal, insisting it would end the ongoing “imposed war” on its own terms and on its own timetable, a senior political and security official told Press TV.
Iran has outlined five conditions for ending the war: a complete cessation of “aggressions and assassinations”; mechanisms to prevent the reimposition of war; guaranteed payment for repairs; resolution on all fronts and resistance groups; and international recognition of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.
As part of the preparations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had a detailed telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier today (Saturday), which lasted more than an hour.
This was the prime minister’s second conversation with Pezeshkian in five days, both focused on de-escalation and dialogue.
“I reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including recent strikes against civilian infrastructure, and expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with the brave Iranian people,” he wrote on X.
The Prime Minister said he also expressed condolences over the tragic loss of precious lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and displaced.
“I briefed him on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts – involving the United States and sister Gulf and Islamic countries – to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation.”
The prime minister’s office said separately that Pezeshkian “stressed the need to build trust in order to facilitate talks and mediation.”
“Dialogue and diplomacy”
Furthermore, DPM Dar had a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation and ongoing developments.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the need for de-escalation, emphasizing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to lasting peace.
He also stressed the importance of ending all attacks and hostilities.
Dar said Pakistan remained committed to supporting all efforts aimed at restoring regional peace and stability.
