Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 participated today in the first meeting in Istanbul with the Foreign Ministers of the R4 (Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt), along with their counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. The meeting provided an opportunity for exchange of views on regional developments in the Gulf region, their social and economic impacts, and the urgent need to foster diplomatic engagement to resolve regional challenges of peace, security, and stability. The DPM/FM briefed his counterparts on the diplomatic and mediatory role Pakistan continues to play in de-escalating tensions, preventing resumption of hostilities and promoting peace. All Ministers agreed for continued engagement in this format.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 had a warm and cordial meeting with His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud @FaisalbinFarhan, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, in Istanbul on the sidelines of the R-4 Ministerial Meeting. The two leaders reaffirmed the enduring strength of the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and their commitment to further strengthening their strategic partnership through close cooperation across all areas of interest and regular consultations at all levels. The DPM/FM expressed Pakistan’s full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Both leaders underscored the special bond between the two countries, reinforced by the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Defense Alliance, and their shared commitment to regional peace, security and stability.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband @EdMiliband in Istanbul today. The two sides expressed satisfaction with Pakistan-UK bilateral relations and agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. They exchanged views on evolving regional and international developments, underscoring the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and continued engagement. The UK Foreign Secretary commended Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability. The DPM/FM appreciated the UK’s constructive engagement with the R-4 (Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt), alongside Germany, France and Italy, in support of regional peace and stability. @FCDOGovUK

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot @JnBarrot, in Istanbul today. Recalling their recent meeting on the sidelines of the last UNGA, the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen Pakistan-France bilateral cooperation. DPM/FM underscored the importance of sustained engagement and regular dialogue to advance bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest. They also exchanged views on current regional and international developments, including the wider economic and social repercussions of ongoing crises, particularly the impact on energy costs. Both sides emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional challenges and promoting peace and international cooperation. Foreign Minister Barrot appreciated Pakistan’s role and DPM/FM’s personal efforts in promoting sustained engagement and advancing diplomatic efforts towards regional peace and stability. DPM/FM appreciated France’s positive engagement alongside the UK, Germany and Italy with the R4 countries to discuss regional and international developments and support diplomatic efforts towards peace and stability.

Group photo of the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt with their counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom in Istanbul, hosted by Türkiye.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with Egyptian Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty @EgyptForeignMin on the sidelines of the R4 Ministerial Meeting in Istanbul today. The two Ministers reaffirmed the longstanding and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Egypt and underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement in further advancing bilateral relations. They agreed to impart greater momentum to cooperation across a range of areas, including trade, business-to-business linkages, agriculture, pharmaceutical, connectivity, renewable energy, defence, and people-to-people exchanges. The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments, particularly the situation in Palestine and the Middle East, and underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional challenges. They reaffirmed their commitment to continued consultations and closer coordination under the Regional Four (R4) framework and on matters of mutual interest. @MFAEgOfficial

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Johann Wadephul on the sidelines of the R-4 and Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom (E-4) Ministerial Meeting in Istanbul today. The two Ministers discussed Pakistan-Germany relations and DPM/FM expressed the desire to further strengthening bilateral ties through sustained engagement and cooperation across multiple areas of mutual interest. The two Ministers also exchanged views on recent regional and international developments, emphasising the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and sustained international engagement to address evolving regional challenges and to promote peace and stability. DPM/FM welcomed the constructive engagement of Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom with the R-4 framework and underscored the value of continued consultations and diplomatic coordination on issues of shared concern.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 arrived in Istanbul, Türkiye, to participate in the R4 as well as the R4+ France, Germany, Italy, and UK Ministerial Meeting. He was received by Ambassador Cihad Erginay, Director General at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires, Shaiq Ahmed; Pakistan’s Consul General in Istanbul Khawaja Khurram Naeem; Additional Secretary, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi; and officers of the Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara and the Consulate General of Pakistan in Istanbul. During his one-day official visit, the DPM/FM will participate in meetings in the R4 and R4+ France, Germany, Italy, and UK, call on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held his first meeting in Istanbul today with H.E. Hakan Fidan, Foreign Minister of Türkiye. The DPM/FM thanked FM Hakan Fidan for Türkiye’s hosting of the R-4 Ministerial Meeting and the R4+ meeting with Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom in Istanbul. The DPM/FM conveyed condolences over the loss of lives caused by flash floods following heavy rains in Türkiye and wished a swift recovery to those affected. The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East and Palestine. They expressed concern over threats to regional stability and underscored the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and coordinated efforts to promote regional peace and security. The two sides also strongly condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination on regional issues, including under the Makkah Defence Agreement among Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the longstanding bonds of friendship and brotherhood between Pakistan and Türkiye, and to deepening cooperation across all areas of mutual interest, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora.

Family photo of the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt ahead of the commencement of the 6th R4 meeting, in Istanbul.

On Foreign Service of Pakistan🇵🇰 Day, we honour all our Foreign Service Officers for their commitment to public service, advancing Pakistan’s interests and safeguarding the welfare of Pakistan’s citizens abroad. Often serving far from home and loved ones, they strengthen international relations with countries around the world. We also acknowledge their families, whose invaluable support and adaptability are an essential part of this journey. #ForeignServiceOfPakistan #ServingPakistan #PakistanDiplomacy

🔊PR No.2️⃣9️⃣2️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ Message of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 on Foreign Service of Pakistan Day, 17 October, 2026 🔗⬇️

UN Secretary-General António Guterres @antonioguterres visited the Foreign Service Academy today, where he was received by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50. The UNSG signed the Visitors’ Book before delivering a keynote address to the diplomatic community in Islamabad and young diplomats of the Foreign Service of Pakistan.

Video of the remarks by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 on “Strengthening Multilateralism in a Changing World: Geopolitics and the Role of the United Nations” at the Foreign Service Academy, Islamabad.