ISLAMABAD/RIYADH — As Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Riyadh for a crucial ministerial meeting of key Arab and Muslim countries on Wednesday, Pakistan’s primary objective was to push for dialogue and de-escalation in an increasingly volatile regional crisis.
However, even before the meeting of foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Turkiye, and the UAE could formally begin, the situation took a dramatic turn.
Escalation on the Eve of Diplomacy
Fresh Israeli strikes targeted Iran’s energy infrastructure, prompting a fierce response from Tehran that spread across the Gulf, hitting critical installations and raising fears of a wider regional war. The escalation left Arab foreign ministers in an uncompromising mood.
“Pakistan’s work was cut out even before the meeting kicked off,” a senior diplomat told The Express Tribune, describing the atmosphere as tense and emotionally charged.
Delicate Diplomatic Balancing Act
According to diplomatic sources, several Arab states were unwilling to entertain calls for restraint or diplomacy with Iran, instead pushing for a strong and unequivocal condemnation of Tehran in the joint communique.
Pakistan, which has been attempting to position itself as a bridge between Iran and Gulf countries, found itself navigating one of its most delicate diplomatic challenges in recent years.
Sources said Islamabad engaged in intense behind-the-scenes diplomacy to cool tempers and soften the language of the joint statement. When discussions began on the draft declaration, Gulf countries sought a hard-hitting message holding Iran solely responsible for the escalation, while Pakistan pushed for a more balanced approach.
“We convinced our Arab friends to dilute the statement to some extent,” another diplomat said, adding that Islamabad also sought explicit references to Israel and the broader causes of instability in the Middle East.
The Final Joint Statement
The final joint statement, issued after the consultative meeting in Riyadh, strongly condemned Iran’s missile and drone attacks on multiple countries, including Gulf states, terming them unjustifiable under any circumstances.
It called on Tehran to immediately halt hostilities, respect international law, and refrain from actions threatening regional security, including maritime routes.
At the same time, the statement also included a condemnation of Israel’s actions in Lebanon, particularly its “expansionist policies,” reflecting a key Pakistani demand during negotiations.
Despite this partial success, officials acknowledged that Pakistan had to walk a “tight diplomatic rope” to maintain relations with both Iran and its key Gulf allies.
Pakistan’s Official Position
Separately, in an official statement issued by the Foreign Office, Pakistan underscored the need to address the root causes of the crisis.
The statement noted that while Islamabad supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all regional states and condemned attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure, lasting peace could not be achieved without addressing the underlying drivers of conflict.
In this context, Pakistan “condemned in the strongest possible terms Israel’s continued aggression and provocations,” linking broader regional instability to longstanding disputes and policies.
Dar’s Message
During the meeting, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and emphasized diplomacy as the only viable path forward. He also warned against actions that could jeopardize regional energy security and worsen global economic challenges.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan would continue its diplomatic outreach and maintain a “constructive role” in efforts aimed at de-escalation.
However, diplomatic sources cautioned that with positions hardening and mistrust deepening, the space for mediation was rapidly shrinking, making Pakistan’s balancing act increasingly difficult in an already volatile region.
Unity of Muslim Ummah
Addressing the ministerial meeting, Dar underscored the importance of preserving the unity of the Muslim Ummah and called for a swift end to the ongoing conflict.
The deputy prime minister expressed full support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of all brotherly regional states, and emphasized the need to end all attacks against their territories.
He stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the crisis and, in this regard, condemned in the strongest possible terms Israel’s continued aggression and provocations against regional countries.
Dar also condemned attacks on civilians, as well as on energy and critical infrastructure, and called for an end to such actions.
Bilateral Engagements
During the visit, Dar conveyed a message of strong solidarity and unwavering support to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan.
He also attended a quadrilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, held on the sidelines of the summit, further underscoring Pakistan’s active engagement with key regional players.
