FM Dar, Turkish counterpart discuss regional developments in phone call

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar conversed with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, via phone on Sunday night. The pair discussed current regional affairs and reasserted their dedication to bolstering collaboration on shared concerns, according to the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan. In a tweet on X, Dar and Fidan affirmed that open dialogue and diplomacy should serve as the primary means to tackle regional issues and foster peace and stability.

The telephone discussion took place as Pakistan persists in its diplomatic efforts with regional and world leaders amid the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Islamabad has become a pivotal mediator in the crisis. In the weeks leading up to the call, Dar met with officials from the United States, United Kingdom, China, and China's designated representative to Sweden.

He emphasized the importance of adhering to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in letter and spirit, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to regional peace and security.

During his meetings, Dar also addressed the diplomatic role Pakistan has played during the US-Iran conflict. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide expressed appreciation for Pakistan's "important and constructive role" in the conflict, praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Dar, and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for their leadership and contributions to negotiations.

Eide highlighted that Islamabad had taken on a significant task by serving as both the venue and facilitator for discussions between Washington and Tehran. The Norwegian minister reiterated his support for Pakistan's crucial role in the ongoing situation.