Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday said Pakistan attaches high importance to its fraternal relations with Saudi Arabia and is committed to further strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors.
In a post on X, the deputy prime minister said he met Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, on the sidelines of the Regional Envoys conference in Islamabad.
He appreciated the strong fraternal Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations and emphasised the importance of further strengthening the ongoing positive momentum and expanding cooperation across all sectors, including trade, investment, energy, and human resource development.
Dar also underscored the need for continued engagement with the Pakistani community in the Kingdom, recognising their constructive and positive contribution in further deepening the close bilateral ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ahmed Farooq, called on today Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 on the sidelines of the Regional Envoys Conference in Islamabad.
Appreciating the strong fraternal Pakistan–Saudi Arabia… pic.twitter.com/v52Ct8BQp9
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 19, 2026
Dar meets Pakistani ambassador to UAE
DPM and FM Dar also met with Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Shafqat Ali Khan, on the sidelines of the Regional Envoys’ Conference in Islamabad on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by MoFA, Dar stressed the need to “further expand cooperation” between Pakistan and the UAE across multiple sectors and to strengthen bilateral relations.
The deputy prime minister also highlighted what the Foreign Office described as the “positive role” played by the Pakistani community in the UAE and directed that further steps be taken to facilitate their welfare.
He also called for promoting stronger people-to-people ties between the two countries, according to the statement.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Shafqat Ali Khan, called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on the sidelines of the Regional Envoys’ Conference in Islamabad.
During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister emphasized the… pic.twitter.com/53DLBfXeTD
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 19, 2026
Pakistan, Iran to deepen cooperation in key sectors
Earlier in the day, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to deepening ties with Iran as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Iran, Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, ahead of Siddiqui’s departure for Tehran.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the deputy prime minister recalled the “deep-rooted historical, cultural, and fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Iran” and reaffirmed “Pakistan’s commitment to further expanding bilateral cooperation in all spheres, particularly in trade, connectivity, people-to-people exchanges, and regional collaboration”.
Dar emphasised “the importance of sustaining the positive momentum in bilateral engagement through close coordination and mutual understanding”.
The foreign minister also highlighted “Pakistan’s constructive and responsible role in promoting regional peace, dialogue, and stability, and expressed confidence that the Ambassador-designate would make a valuable contribution towards further strengthening the enduring partnership between the two brotherly countries”.
He also “wished the ambassador-designate success in his new assignment”.
Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, called on DPM/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 ahead of his departure to Tehran.
Recalling the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Iran,… pic.twitter.com/qsTkmW4BXr
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 19, 2026
Read: Dar, Qatari minister discuss evolving regional situation, stress dialogue amid US-Iran tensions
On February 28, the US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran. Tehran retaliated with strikes on Israel and other Gulf countries hosting US assets.
Pakistan subsequently positioned itself as a key mediator for peace, brokering a two-week ceasefire and hosting the highest-level US-Iran talks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Although the “Islamabad Talks” ended without agreement, the ceasefire was held and later extended upon Islamabad’s request.
The US and Iran are expected to hold a second and final round of talks in Islamabad however, there has been no official confirmation from any side regarding this. Despite no confirmation, Pakistan has expressed optimism that a peace agreement between the US and Iran would be struck “soon.”Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express TribuneWeb DeskRead More