Dar to depart on Riyadh visit for meeting of regional FMs, will call for ‘swift end’ to Middle East conflict – Pakistan

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will leave for Riyadh on Wednesday to meet foreign ministers of countries in the region, where he will advocate for a “quick end” to the conflict in the Middle East, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

The conflict began with the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28. In retaliatory attacks, Iran has attacked US assets and bases in the Gulf countries. Amid the hostilities, the FO has termed Pakistan’s role as “abridge builder”.

Dar will attend at the invitation of Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud from March 18 to 19, during which he will “express his full support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of all brotherly countries in the region and call for an end to all attacks on their territory.”

According to FO, Dar will reiterate “Pakistan’s call for a quick end to the ongoing conflict” and call for a return to “dialogue and diplomacy.”

The foreign minister is also expected to highlight Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and its “desire to continue playing a critical role in resolving the serious security crisis facing the region.”

According to a Reuters According to the report, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will also attend a meeting in Riyadh today to discuss regional developments.

This will be the third visit of the Pakistani side to Saudi Arabia amid the current tensions in the Middle East.

On March 7, Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir met Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud to discuss Iran’s attacks on Saudi Arabia.

On March 12, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a “restricted meeting” with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the prime minister’s spokesman for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi, said.

The statement said the prime minister expressed Pakistan’s “full solidarity and support” for Saudi Arabia “in these difficult times” and agreed to work together for regional peace and stability.

Saudi Arabia has been one of the countries in the region that has been attacked in Iran’s retaliation campaign.

Prime Minister Shehbaz and Dar have been celebrating phone calls with dignitaries from relevant countries since the war began, repeatedly asking for a de-escalation.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi grateful To the government and people of Pakistan for extending their “strong solidarity and support” to Iran and its people, who he said were facing aggression from the United States and Israel.