- Meeting to focus on easing tensions amid Middle East war.
- Pakistan appears as a mediator between Iran, the United States.
- FMs from Turkiye, Egypt are arriving, Saudi FMs are going to Islamabad.
Pakistan is all set to host a quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt from 29-30. March in Islamabad to discuss a range of issues, including efforts to reduce ongoing tensions in the region amid the US-Israel war against Iran.
Islamabad has emerged as a key facilitator between Iran and the US as their war drags on, serving as a conduit for messages between the two sides.
The meeting comes amid efforts to open a window for diplomacy to end the nearly month-long war between the US, Israel and Iran, which began on February 28 and has affected the wider Middle East.
In this connection, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty arrived in Islamabad a day earlier on an official visit.
Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is scheduled to arrive today.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was warmly received by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Ishaq Dar.
During the meeting, both sides had discussions on Middle East tensions as well as strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Egypt.
Two days earlier, DPM Dar confirmed that indirect talks between the US and Iran were underway through messages relayed by Pakistan, with Turkiye and Egypt also assisting in the effort.
These efforts included direct contact between the Chief of Defense Staff (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump on Sunday, the White House confirmed.
Subsequently, Pakistan delivered a US proposal to Iran, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Wednesday. The source did not disclose details of the proposal or confirm whether it was the 15-point US framework reported by media.
However, Iran rejected the US proposal and insisted it will end the ongoing “imposed war” on its own terms and timeline, a senior political-security official told Press TV.
Iran outlined five conditions for ending the war: a complete halt to “aggression and assassinations”; mechanisms to prevent the war from being reintroduced; guaranteed payment of damages; resolution across all fronts and resistance groups; and international recognition of Iran’s control of 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 over an hour.
The call was the prime minister’s second conversation with Pezeshkian in five days, both of which focused on de-escalation and dialogue.
“I reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including recent attacks on civilian infrastructure, and conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity with the brave people of Iran,” he wrote on X.
The Prime Minister said he also condoled the tragic loss of precious lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and displaced.
“I informed him of Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach – engaging the US and brotherly Gulf and Islamic countries – to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation.”
The prime minister’s office said separately that Pezeshkian “underscored the need to build trust to facilitate talks and mediation”.
‘Dialogue and diplomacy’
Separately, DPM Dar held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two leaders discussed developments in the regional situation and ongoing developments.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the need for de-escalation and emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to lasting peace.
He also emphasized the importance of an end to all attacks and hostilities.
Dar said Pakistan remains committed to supporting all efforts to restore regional peace and stability.
