Dar urges adherence to Islamabad MoU, calls for restraint amid regional tensions

• Deputy PM stresses de-escalation, respect for sovereignty in call with Kuwaiti FM

• Kuwait appreciates Pakistan's mediation efforts, backs full implementation of Islamabad MoU

• FM Dar felicitates Venezuela's new foreign minister, vows stronger bilateral cooperation

 ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday underscored the importance of “fully upholding ceasefire commitments” under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), urging all parties to “exercise maximum restraint” and avoid actions that could further escalate regional tensions, while reiterating Pakistan's commitment to “dialogue, diplomacy and lasting regional peace.”

According to a Foreign Office post on X, the deputy prime minister received a telephone call from Kuwait's Foreign Minister, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, during which the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 received a telephone call today from the Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait, H.E. Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

The two Foreign Ministers discussed the latest developments in the region.… pic.twitter.com/ZxRFsczOoQ

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 18, 2026

Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah conveyed Kuwait's serious concerns over the continued attacks on its territory and expressed hope that all sides would exercise restraint and ensure the full implementation of the Islamabad MoU.

He also appreciated Pakistan's constructive and mediatory role in promoting dialogue, reducing tensions and fostering regional stability.

During the conversation, Ishaq Dar stressed the urgent need for de-escalation and underscored the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. He emphasised that preserving regional peace and security must remain the foremost priority and called for strict adherence to the ceasefire commitments under the Islamabad MoU.

The two foreign ministers agreed to remain in close contact on issues of mutual interest and regional importance.

Dar congratulates Venezuela's new foreign minister

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar congratulated Felix Plasencia on his appointment as the Minister of Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

"I wish Foreign Minister Plasencia every success in his new responsibilities and look forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and Venezuela," Dar said in a post on his X account.

Heartiest congratulations to
H.E. Félix Plasencia on his appointment as the Minister of Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

I wish Foreign Minister Plasencia every success in his new responsibilities and look forward to working closely…

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 18, 2026

Dar reiterates commitment to cooperative federalism

In another development, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening cooperative federalism, enhancing intergovernmental coordination and advancing decisions that serve the national interest.

Dar chaired a meeting of the Pre-Council of Common Interests (CCI) Committee, constituted by the Prime Minister in his capacity as Chairman of the CCI, as part of preparations for the Council's 53rd meeting.

According to a press release issued by the Deputy Prime Minister's Office, the meeting was attended by the ministers for Planning and Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, and the secretaries of the Cabinet Division, Council of Common Interests, Planning, Petroleum, Water Resources, Power, Health, Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OP&HRD), along with other relevant stakeholders.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 chaired a meeting of the Pre-Council of Common Interests (CCI) Committee today.

The Committee, constituted by the Prime Minister/Chairman of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), held a preparatory… pic.twitter.com/Uwu9NCfqG6

— Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (@DPM_PK) July 18, 2026

Following detailed deliberations on key agenda items, the committee recommended to the Prime Minister, in his capacity as Chairman of the Council of Common Interests, that the next CCI meeting be convened in August this year, with the objective of further strengthening federal-provincial coordination and ensuring timely decisions on matters of national importance.