Pakistan hosts pivotal ‘quad FM talks’ as push for Iran war de-escalation intensifies

• Saudi, Turkish, Egyptian FMs land in Islamabad for high-stakes diplomacy: FO

• Talks aim at shaping mechanism for ceasefire and political settlement amid ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran

• Islamabad emerges as key hub for backchannel Iran-US engagement as Dar leads intensified diplomatic push

• Meeting shifted from Ankara as Pakistan’s mediation role deepens amid growing momentum for possible Iran-US talks

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt for two-day “quadrilateral talks” starting Sunday (March 29), aimed at holding “in-depth discussions” on the Middle East conflict and efforts to de-escalate rising tensions amid the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Saturday.

In a statement, the FO announced that at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty will visit Islamabad from March 29 to 30.

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Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt to Visit Islamabad for Consultations

🔗⬇️https://t.co/ehLoO2Av8I pic.twitter.com/3UIAKm2zwm

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 28, 2026

“Pakistan is set to host a quadrilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt to discuss in-depth the evolving regional situation and efforts to de-escalate tensions amid the US-Israeli war on Iran,” the FO said.

During the visit, the ministers will engage in comprehensive discussions on a wide range of regional and international issues, with a particular focus on promoting peace and reducing tensions. The visiting dignitaries are also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“Pakistan highly values its relations with the brotherly countries of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt,” the FO underscored, adding that the visit will further strengthen cooperation and coordination across multiple areas of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said in a post on X that the “distinguished leaders will engage in comprehensive discussions… focusing on efforts to promote peace and de-escalation.”

At the invitation of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt will visit Islamabad from 29–30 March.

The distinguished leaders will engage in comprehensive discussions on a wide range…

— Tahir Andrabi (@TahirAndrabi) March 28, 2026

A day earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the meeting would aim to establish a mechanism for de-escalation.

“We will discuss where negotiations in this war are heading, how these four countries assess the situation, and what can be done,” he told broadcaster A Haber on Friday.

The four countries have been actively engaged in mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran since the outbreak of the war on February 28, and all face heightened vulnerability to disruptions in energy supplies and trade routes.

Pakistan has already conveyed a US proposal to Tehran for ending the conflict and has offered to host talks, with Iranian officials indicating that any negotiations could take place in Pakistan or Turkiye.

Originally planned in Turkiye, the quadrilateral meeting was shifted to Islamabad in view of Pakistan’s growing role in the Iran-US diplomatic track and the possibility that it may host those negotiations as well.

The venue change reflects Islamabad’s deepening involvement in ongoing mediation efforts and has intensified speculation that a direct or indirect Iran-US engagement could take place in the capital in the coming days.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally proposed Islamabad as a potential venue for negotiations between Iranian and US officials, “subject to concurrence by the US and Iran.”

Intensified proactive diplomacy

The four-country mechanism was formed on March 19 on the sidelines of a gathering of 10 Arab and Muslim countries in Riyadh. While initial discussions focused on defence cooperation, officials say the current diplomatic initiative has since evolved into a broader de-escalation effort.

Following the Riyadh meeting, Egyptian intelligence opened communication channels with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), after which Pakistan assumed a central role in the emerging diplomatic process.

Addressing a conference in Istanbul on Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the emerging “polycentric” global order required urgent solutions to safeguard critical energy and trade routes. He added that the ongoing high-level dialogue aimed to outline “actionable steps” to end the war before further damage to the region and global economy.

 Pakistan’s stepped up diplomatic outreach

Underscoring Pakistan’s intensified diplomatic outreach, Ishaq Dar on Saturday held a telephone conversation with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

According to the FO, the two leaders discussed regional and international developments and stressed the need for urgent de-escalation.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani @PM_AlThani_.

The two leaders discussed prevailing regional and… pic.twitter.com/GzQsYSRjyf

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 28, 2026

The Qatari leadership appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace through dialogue and diplomacy. Both sides reaffirmed their close ties and agreed to remain in contact.

Separately, Dar also spoke with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, with both sides reviewing regional developments and bilateral cooperation, while reaffirming strong fraternal relations.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a telephone conversation today with the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Sugiono @Menlu_RI.

They discussed regional & international developments, as well as bilateral matters of mutual interest.… pic.twitter.com/G3DBnXrbkZ

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 28, 2026

On Friday, Dar held separate telephonic conversations with his Egyptian and Turkish counterparts, during which all sides emphasised dialogue and collective efforts to restore peace, the FO said.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, spoke with the Foreign Minister of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan @HakanFidan, to discuss the latest regional and international situation.

The two leaders exchanged views on recent developments and… pic.twitter.com/ptmjZ3x8oQ

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 27, 2026

He also spoke with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who “extended full support for Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts” for regional peace and stability.

Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed Beijing’s endorsement of Pakistan’s role in facilitating talks and encouraged Tehran to engage in negotiations, describing the current moment as opportune given mounting US pressure in the conflict, according to diplomatic sources.

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Pakistan and China Reaffirm Commitment to Regional Peace and Diplomatic Engagement pic.twitter.com/EHotZRpWHo

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 27, 2026

In a separate development, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, during a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, “fully endorsed” Pakistan’s mediation efforts, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Islamabad has thus positioned itself for a potential mediatory role in ending the month-old conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran, in coordination with Ankara and Cairo.

Dar confirmed on Thursday that “US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan,” adding that a 15-point US framework had been shared with Tehran and was under consideration, with Turkiye and Egypt supporting the process.

Following reports of the US proposal, Iranian media quoted an official as outlining five conditions under which Tehran would agree to end the conflict.