Dar, Saudi FM discuss Pakistan-China five-point plan to defuse Gulf tensions

• Initiative aims at ceasefire, peace talks, protection of civilians and shipping lanes

• Both ministers reaffirm strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia

• Discussions follow quadrilateral talks with Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt

• Uzbekistan, Egypt, and Türkiye also backed Pakistan-China peace initiative a day earlier

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Friday discussed the Pakistan-China five-point initiative aimed at promoting dialogue, fostering peace and stability, and de-escalating tensions in the Gulf and the wider Middle East, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

The initiative, put forward jointly by Beijing and Islamabad during Dar’s recent visit to China, calls for an immediate ceasefire, the initiation of inclusive peace talks, protection of civilian and commercial infrastructure—including key shipping lanes—and strict adherence to the United Nations Charter.

The development followed quadrilateral discussions hosted by Islamabad with regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt, to defuse escalating tensions in the Middle East.

“Both Dar and Prince Faisal bin Farhan exchanged views on the latest developments in the regional situation, emphasizing the urgent need for de-escalation and dialogue,” the FO said in a statement.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan @FaisalbinFarhan.

The two leaders exchanged views on the latest developments in the regional situation, emphasizing the urgent need for… pic.twitter.com/EN01zURZfN

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 3, 2026

“The Pakistan-China Five-Point Initiative for peace in the Gulf and Middle East was also discussed.”

The ministers reaffirmed the strong, fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and agreed to maintain close contact amid the ongoing regional crisis.

The phone call comes as the spillover of the conflict has complicated diplomatic efforts to calm the situation. The war began on February 28 with coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliatory measures that disrupted global energy markets, including an effective halt of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route handling roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil trade.

A day earlier, foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Egypt, and Türkiye also welcomed the Pakistan-China five-point initiative, praising its emphasis on dialogue, diplomacy, and de-escalation.

In separate phone calls on Thursday, Uzbekistan’s FM Bakhtiyor Saidov, Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty, and Türkiye’s Hakan Fidan reviewed recent regional developments and agreed to maintain close contact on matters of mutual interest. “The three foreign ministers commended Pakistan’s efforts to promote stability in the Gulf and the Middle East and expressed full support for the Pakistan-China Five-Point Initiative,” the FO said.

Last month, Pakistan’s Foreign Office described Islamabad’s role as that of a “bridge builder,” seeking to ease rising tensions in the region.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had signed a landmark defense pact in September last year, under which aggression against one country would be considered an attack on both.

The US–Israeli military campaign on Iran is set to enter its fifth week on April 4, with US President Donald Trump promising a swift resolution, though without specifying a clear timeline.

DPM Dar’s meeting with senior journalists, anchor persons

In related development, DPM/FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday held an interactive briefing with anchorpersons and senior journalists on regional and global developments, as well as Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities, challenges, and achievements, according to the DPM’s Office.

Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held an interactive briefing with anchorpersons and senior journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

Discussions focused on regional and global developments, as well as Pakistan’s… pic.twitter.com/4ZIJINMIse

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 3, 2026

Deputy PM Ishaq Dar briefed the anchorpersons and senior journalists on the evolving regional situation and global developments and the country’s foreign policy priorities, said a statement issued by the DPM’s Office.

“Discussions focused on regional and global developments, as well as Pakistan's foreign policy priorities, challenges, and achievements,” it said.

“The briefing held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflected regular communication between the Foreign Office and the national media,” the statement added.