Dar underscores Muslim unity, urges diplomacy to end Mideast conflict in Riyadh
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chairs a meeting in Islamabad to review evolving developments in the region. Photo: X
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday underscored the importance of preserving the unity of the Muslim Ummah, called for a swift end to the ongoing conflict in the region, and reiterated Pakistan’s call for dialogue and diplomacy.
Addressing a ministerial meeting of Arab and Islamic countries held in Riyadh, the deputy prime minister expressed full support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of all brotherly countries in the region, and emphasised the need to end all attacks on their territories.
Dar stressed the need to address the root causes of the ongoing crisis affecting the wider region and, in this regard, condemned in the strongest possible terms Israel’s continued aggression and provocations against regional countries.
🔊PR No.7️⃣1️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Visit of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister to Saudi Arabia to attend Ministerial meeting of Arab and Islamic Countries https://t.co/I0iaqHov1s https://t.co/SHH2WkMZkQ pic.twitter.com/C4gGRmJnzKHe also condemned attacks on civilians, as well as on energy and critical infrastructure in the region, calling for an immediate end to such actions.
Dar urged all parties to refrain from actions that could undermine the energy security of the region and beyond, thereby exacerbating global economic challenges.
The deputy prime minister apprised participants of Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis and reaffirmed the country’s desire to continue playing a constructive role in addressing regional security challenges.
During the visit, Dar conveyed a message of strong solidarity and unwavering support to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan.
He also attended a quadrilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, held on the sidelines.
Read More: Pakistan joins Islamic countries urging Iran to halt attacks on Gulf states
Pakistan, along with 11 other Islamic countries, issued a joint statement urging Iran to immediately stop its attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council countries and regional allies, following a consultative ministerial meeting held in Riyadh a day earlier to deliberate diplomatic efforts to tone down the conflict in the Middle East.
The current Middle East conflict erupted on February 28 when US and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on Iran. The attacks quickly escalated, with Iran retaliating through drone and missile strikes targeting US assets and allied interests across the Gulf.
Since the start of the conflict, Pakistan has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between Gulf countries, the United States and Iran, and on many occasions Islamabad has said it is ready to play a mediating role.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, during an interview with Al Jazeera, said that Pakistan was ready to play a pivotal role in mediating regional tensions following the attack on Iran by the United States and Israel.
Last week, Dar also held telephonic conversations with his counterparts from several Gulf states and other countries, stressing the importance of de-escalation and emphasising the need to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.