Pakistan to Host Middle East Diplomacy Talks with Saudi, Türkiye, and Egypt

Pakistan will host foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt in Islamabad to discuss the Middle East conflict, with talks led by Ishaq Dar and including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Ahead of the meeting, Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, condemning Israeli strikes and promoting dialogue. The talks aim to de-escalate tensions, strengthen regional cooperation, and facilitate broader diplomatic engagement.

Pakistan is preparing to host a high-level meeting of foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt in Islamabad on Sunday and Monday, officials confirmed on Saturday, as diplomatic efforts to address the war in the Middle East gain momentum. The talks, organized by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, will also include a session with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions are expected to be “in-depth,” covering a wide range of issues, including strategies to de-escalate regional tensions, foster dialogue among conflicting parties, and explore potential humanitarian interventions.
In a notable prelude to the Islamabad gathering, Prime Minister Sharif held a detailed telephone conversation lasting over an hour with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. During the call, Sharif condemned Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, expressed solidarity with the Iranian people, and highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic engagements with both the United States and regional countries aimed at promoting dialogue and reducing conflict. President Pezeshkian stressed the importance of building trust and confidence among regional stakeholders to support mediation efforts, emphasizing that constructive dialogue remains crucial for long-term stability.
The Islamabad meeting was initially intended to take place in Türkiye, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, signaling the dynamic nature of regional diplomatic coordination. Observers see Pakistan’s role as a neutral facilitator aimed at bringing together key regional powers to discuss practical solutions for preventing further escalation in the conflict. Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul indicated that a direct US-Iran meeting in Pakistan could occur “very soon,” although no official confirmation or further details were provided. Separately, Iranian media reported that Tehran has submitted a response to a US proposal through Islamabad, despite publicly denying that any direct negotiations are taking place with Washington.
The planned discussions in Islamabad underscore Pakistan’s increasing diplomatic involvement in the Middle East crisis, highlighting the country’s ambition to act as a mediator and regional convenor. By hosting representatives from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt, Pakistan seeks to provide a platform for dialogue, foster trust among conflicting parties, and explore ways to reduce tensions that threaten regional security. The initiative also aligns with broader international efforts to prevent further escalation and manage humanitarian and geopolitical fallout from ongoing hostilities.
The gathering reflects a growing recognition among regional powers that collective dialogue and diplomatic coordination are critical for stabilizing the Middle East, mitigating the human cost of the conflict, and ensuring that strategic communication channels remain open among influential countries. Pakistan’s role as host signals its intention to remain a key diplomatic actor in the region, offering a neutral ground for mediation and facilitating discussions that could influence the trajectory of the conflict.