Islamabad hosts Regional Envoys’ Conference as Dar pushes diplomatic outreach

• Foreign Office says conference to review regional and global geopolitical developments

• Dar says conference will deepen Pakistan’s regional diplomatic engagement

• Focus on strengthening bilateral ties with friendly and brotherly countries

 ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will convene a Regional Envoys’ Conference in Islamabad from May 14–18 to review regional and global developments and assess Pakistan’s bilateral relations with friendly countries, the Foreign Office said on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the conference will serve as a platform to evaluate Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement across the region and identify new avenues of cooperation in multiple areas.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in a post on his official X account, said the conference would focus on strengthening multifaceted cooperation and reviewing Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach with countries in the wider region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will convene a Regional Envoys’ Conference in Islamabad from 14–18 May 2026.

The conference will review regional and global developments and Pakistan’s bilateral relations with brotherly countries, focusing on multifaceted areas. The…

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 13, 2026

The Foreign Office said recommendations emerging from the conference would help further strengthen Pakistan’s bilateral ties with brotherly and friendly countries, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to proactive diplomacy and sustained regional engagement.

It added that the initiative comes as Pakistan seeks to enhance regional connectivity, deepen economic cooperation, and strengthen diplomatic coordination amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

Dar chairs key meeting on tax policy reforms for upcoming budget

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of a committee constituted by the Prime Minister to review and analyse Tax Policy Proposals prepared by the Tax Policy Office for the upcoming federal budget.

Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 chaired a meeting today of the Committee constituted by the PM to review and analyze the Tax Policy Proposals prepared by Tax Policy Office for the forthcoming budget and make recommendations… pic.twitter.com/yTF7sQQyax

— Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (@DPM_PK) May 13, 2026

The committee examined proposals aimed at bringing the informal sector into the tax net and addressing structural gaps in the taxation system.

It directed the Tax Policy Office to assess the impact of proposed measures on revenue generation, economic growth and investment, ensuring a balanced approach to fiscal reform.

The committee emphasised that tax reforms should not only enhance revenue but also promote growth and investment without imposing additional burden on compliant taxpayers.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economic Affairs Division, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Secretary Finance, Chairman FBR and senior officials from relevant ministries.