Dar, Saudi FM discuss 'evolving regional situation' in fresh call

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday discussed the “evolving regional situation” in a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Foreign Office said.

In a statement posted on X, the FO said the two leaders exchanged views on the regional environment and upcoming international engagements and agreed to remain in close contact amid ongoing diplomatic developments.

The latest interaction comes as both countries maintain regular high-level consultations on regional security and geopolitical shifts. Dar had also spoken to Prince Faisal last month shortly after arriving in Beijing, where, according to the FO, the two “deliberated on the recent situation in the region.”

The call marked another in a series of recent contacts between the two foreign ministers. On December 30, 2025, they had similarly exchanged views on “the current regional situation and recent developments,” underscoring the frequency of diplomatic coordination between Islamabad and Riyadh.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share longstanding and multifaceted ties rooted in strategic military cooperation, deep economic linkages and shared religious and cultural bonds. Riyadh has historically been a key source of financial assistance, oil supplies and investment support for Islamabad, particularly during periods of economic strain.

In September 2025, the two countries further elevated their partnership by signing a landmark mutual defence agreement, under which an attack on one party would be treated as an attack on both—a move widely seen as formalising and deepening their strategic alignment.

Officials say sustained high-level engagement reflects both sides’ commitment to close coordination on regional peace, security and broader international developments.