Qatari prime minister praises Pakistan’s efforts for peace through talks in Mideast in call with Dar

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as the sole path to peace in a call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as Islamabad is all set for in-depth talks on easing tensions in the Middle East.

Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after US and Israeli air strikes last month assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region. In response to the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.

Pakistan has since ramped up its diplomatic efforts to play its part in easing the tensions and emerged as a key mediator between the US and Iran in their ongoing conflict which had spread across the Gulf region.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on X, Dar held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart.

“The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation and ongoing developments. FM Dar emphasised the need for de-escalation, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path for lasting peace,” the statement said.

The ministry said Dar also underscored the importance of ending all attacks and hostilities, adding that Pakistan remained committed to supporting all efforts aimed at restoring regional peace and stability.

Earlier, Qatar’s premier commended Pakistan for its efforts to promote peace through dialogue and diplomacy in the Middle East during a call with FM Dar.

According to a statement by MOFA on X, FM Dar spoke with Qatari PM and FM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman.

“The two leaders discussed prevailing regional and international developments and emphasised the importance of urgent de-escalation. The Qatari side appreciated Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy.”

The ministry said both sides reaffirmed the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Qatar and agreed to remain in close contact on evolving developments.

FM Dar also held a telephonic conversation with Indonesian counterpart Sugiono, discussing regional and international developments, as well as bilateral matters of mutual interest.

“Reaffirming strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and Indonesia, they agreed to remain in close contact.”

Earlier in the day, MOFA also announced that the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt would visit Islamabad from March 29 to 30 on FM Dar’s invitation.

Read More: Why is Pakistan involved in efforts to stop the war in Iran?

The four nations have been involved in trying to mediate between Washington and Tehran in the war launched by the US and Israel on February 28, and all are acutely vulnerable to threats to energy supplies and trade routes.

Pakistan had conveyed to Tehran a US proposal for ending the war and offered to host talks, with Iranian officials indicating any negotiations could take place in Pakistan or Turkey.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly offered Pakistan as a venue for US-Iran peace talks, an offer that received an extraordinary boost when President Donald Trump reposted it on his Truth Social platform, a move widely seen in Islamabad as Washington’s tacit endorsement of Pakistan’s emerging role as a mediator.

On Thursday, FM Dar had confirmed that indirect communication between the US and Iran was underway through messages being relayed by Pakistan, with Turkiye and Egypt also assisting diplomatic efforts aimed at easing the tensions in the Middle East.