FM Dar meets MJDA secretary general, underscores defence pact's importance for regional peace

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday met with the Secretary General of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA), Lieutenant General (retd) Nauman Mahmood, and underscored the critical role of the defence pact in promoting lasting peace in the region, the Foreign Office said.

According to a statement issued by the FO, Dar congratulated Mahmood on his appointment "and wished him success in his important responsibilities." The foreign minister also highlighted Pakistan's ongoing diplomatic efforts to promote regional and international peace and stability, the statement added.

The first Secretary General of the Makkah Alliance for Defence, Lt. Gen. (R) Nauman Mahmood, HI (M), called on the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

The DPM/FM congratulated Lt. Gen. (R)… pic.twitter.com/DQi0Qjl7sd

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 28, 2026

The meeting came as Pakistan, which has been trying to maintain its role as a bridge between Iran and the United States while simultaneously managing its growing security commitments to Saudi Arabia.

Read: Khawaja Asif hints at 'progress' in Makkah alliance’s talks with Iran on Saudi-Houthi conflict

Earlier this week, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Iran agreed to continue a new four-way dialogue on regional peace and security under the MJDA, following an unprecedented meeting in Tehran involving the top military, defence and intelligence officials of the three Makkah pact countries.

FM Dar, Omani counterpart, agrees to strengthen trade, investment and energy ties

The foreign minister held a telephone conversation with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, during which the two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and energy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the MoFA said the Omani foreign minister thanked Dar for the “gracious hospitality” extended to him during his recent visit to Pakistan.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi @badralbusaidi.

The Omani Foreign Minister thanked DPM/FM for the… pic.twitter.com/ci6KT2rRn5

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 28, 2026

The ministry said both ministers agreed to follow up on the understandings reached during the visit to further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and energy. They also underscored the importance of continued high-level exchanges to sustain momentum in bilateral relations.

The two foreign ministers exchanged views on regional developments and reaffirmed their “shared commitment to regional peace and stability”, the statement added.

Dar calls for greater use of EU's GSP+ framework to boost Pakistan's exports

Dar also chaired an inter-ministerial meeting on Pakistan's trade and export promotion agenda during the day, emphasising the need to strengthen trade facilitation, improve the quality of Pakistani products and expand market access through the European Union's GSP+ framework, MoFA said.

According to a statement issued by MoFA on X, "the meeting focused on promoting international trade and market access, with detailed discussions covering human rights, labour rights and environmental governance in line with international commitments."

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 chaired an inter-ministerial meeting on Pakistan’s trade and export promotion agenda today.

The meeting focused on promoting international trade and market access, with detailed discussions on various… pic.twitter.com/lQEFk2TwYN

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 28, 2026

Dar stressed the importance of an “effective, full-spectrum utilisation of the GSP+ framework” in the European Union to enhance Pakistan's export opportunities, the ministry added.

The statement further said that he reaffirmed the government's commitment to a “coordinated, whole-of-government approach” to boosting exports and directed the relevant ministries to maintain momentum in facilitating trade.

The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Tariq Bajwa, the secretaries of foreign affairs, commerce, and human rights, Pakistan's ambassador to Belgium and the EU, and senior officials from the provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and relevant ministries and departments.