Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. SCREEN CAPTURE
ANTALYA:
Pakistan and three key regional powers closed ranks on Saturday, reaffirming a coordinated diplomatic effort to manage rising 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 Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026.
The meeting comes amid ongoing efforts to prevent further escalation in the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran and maintain a fragile ceasefire that is set to expire on April 22.
The 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.”
“The foreign ministers expressed a shared commitment to advance this partnership, deepen coordination and expand collaboration in key areas of mutual interest.”
The commitment follows two previous rounds of consultations between the same countries, first in Riyadh on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting, and then in Islamabad, both with the aim of stopping the war.
Islamabad has since stepped up its diplomatic efforts, including holding direct talks between Iran and the United States on April 11, the highest-level engagement between the two sides since 1979.
While the talks 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 agreement between Washington and Tehran.
He said Egypt, Turkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were coordinating a broader regional initiative to prevent further escalation and shape a post-war security arrangement, with special emphasis on safeguarding the Gulf states.
