ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to host the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt from March 29–30 for detailed talks on regional issues, including steps to ease tensions amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict.
The Foreign Office said in a press release that, at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi Arabia’s FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Türkiye’s FM Hakan Fidan, and Egypt’s FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty will visit Islamabad. The visiting ministers will also meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Foreign Office highlighted Pakistan’s strong ties with the “brotherly countries” of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt, noting that the visit will enhance cooperation and coordination across various areas of mutual interest.
Initially planned to be held in Türkiye, the talks were moved to Islamabad due to Pakistan’s increasing role in the Iran-US dialogue. This has raised speculation that Islamabad may host direct negotiations between the two nations in the coming days.
The discussions are part of a four-country mechanism formed on March 19 during a gathering of ten Arab and Muslim states in Riyadh. While initially focused on defence cooperation, the current diplomatic track has evolved from that meeting, with Egypt opening channels with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Pakistan emerging as a central mediator.
Deputy Prime Minister Dar has actively led diplomatic efforts, holding separate phone calls with Egypt’s FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty and Türkiye’s FM Hakan Fidan, emphasizing dialogue and collective measures for regional peace. He also spoke with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who expressed full support for Pakistan’s mediation role.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah have also endorsed Pakistan’s efforts, urging Tehran to join negotiations while the US faces pressure in the conflict.
Pakistan is coordinating closely with Ankara and Cairo to facilitate indirect US-Iran talks, transmitting messages and proposals between the sides. A 15-point framework from the US has been shared with Iran and is under review, while Türkiye and Egypt are supporting Pakistan’s role. Iranian media reports indicate Tehran has outlined five conditions under which it might agree to end the ongoing conflict.