Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attend the consultative ministerial meeting in Riyadh. Photo: AFP
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday stepped up Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach over the developing regional crisis, holding separate deals with the United Arab Emirates, China and Britain, as Islamabad pushed for de-escalation and renewed dialogue between Iran and the United States.
In a phone call with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Dar stressed the urgent need for immediate de-escalation in the region and reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy remained the only viable way forward, according to the foreign ministry.
The two ministers exchanged views on the rapidly developing situation in the Middle East and agreed to remain in close contact. Dar also expressed grief over the loss of lives, including three Pakistani nationals, in Iranian attacks on the UAE, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Gulf state. Both sides also exchanged Eid greetings, underscoring continued goodwill despite heightened regional tensions.
Separately, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott called on the Deputy Prime Minister in Islamabad, where discussions focused on the wider regional situation and the urgent need for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Dar reiterated that diplomacy and dialogue were the only workable solutions to prevent further escalation, while stressing the importance of an early and peaceful solution.
In a separate engagement, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong also met the Vice Premier with discussions centered on the evolving regional and global situation. Dar again emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation in the Middle East through sustained diplomacy.
The State Department said Pakistan is actively pursuing diplomatic avenues to help end the ongoing conflict, while cautioning against speculation that could undermine sensitive backchannel efforts that require discretion.
