Pakistan is hosting a quadrilateral summit with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on Sunday (local time). The meeting comes days after Pakistan floated Islamabad as a possible venue for talks between the US and Iran to end the four-week war.
According to news agency PTI, the meeting is said to focus on the ongoing conflict in West Asia and efforts to negotiate peace in the region.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia and FM Turkiye reach Pakistan
Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty and Turkey’s Hakan Fidan arrived in Islamabad on Saturday at the invitation of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, PTI reported citing the Foreign Office (FO). Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud arrived in Pakistan today to attend the summit.
During the visit, the foreign ministers are expected to consult on regional developments and are likely to call on Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to the Foreign Office.
Earlier on Saturday, the FO said in a press statement that the visiting foreign ministers would hold “in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region”.
Ishaq Dar speaks to Iran FM and calls for de-escalation
Additionally, in a post on X FO, he noted that Dar held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, adding that the two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation and ongoing developments.
Ishaq Dar also emphasized the need for de-escalation in the region, adding that dialogue and diplomacy remained the only viable path to lasting peace.
Iran allows 20 more ships to pass through Strait of Hormuz: Dar
In a related update, Dar also announced that Tehran has agreed to allow 20 more Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Days after the US and Israel went to war against Iran in late February, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway responsible for nearly a fifth of the world’s oil. The move rattled global energy markets and forced several countries to declare national emergencies. However, Tehran has consistently maintained that “enemy” ships can pass through the strait, Reuters reported.
Dar wrote to his X: “I am pleased to share the great news that the Iranian government has agreed to allow 20 more Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will pass through the strait daily.” He added: “It is a welcome and constructive gesture by Iran and deserves recognition. It is a harbinger of peace and will help bring stability to the region.”
The gift identified US Vice President JD Vance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Araghchi, concluding that “dialogue, diplomacy and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward.”
This is a developing story. Further details were awaited.
