Islamabad (TDI): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday congratulated Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the consensus election of Mauritania’s Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as the new Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar spoke with Prince Faisal by telephone, with the two foreign ministers exchanging views on regional developments and matters of mutual interest, including the forthcoming meeting of the Regional Four (R4).
The two ministers agreed to remain closely engaged on issues of common concern, the ministry said.
Dar also held a separate telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during which they discussed the evolving regional situation and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.
The two ministers also discussed upcoming diplomatic engagements, including the next meeting of the R4 grouping.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt are expected to hold another round of high-level consultations in Istanbul later this month, as Islamabad steps up diplomatic coordination with key regional powers amid rapidly changing developments in the Middle East.
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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had invited Dar to Istanbul for a meeting of the foreign ministers of the four countries during a telephone conversation on August 19.
The R4 framework was launched earlier this year to intensify consultations among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt on regional crises, particularly the conflict involving the United States and Iran, as well as wider efforts to promote peace and stability.
The four countries have held several meetings since March, with the fourth ministerial meeting taking place in Cairo in June.
The latest meeting was held in Amman on August 5 on the sidelines of a ministerial gathering on Jerusalem. Dar, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed the regional situation and called for continued consultation and coordination.
The upcoming Istanbul meeting carries additional significance as it will be the first major R4 engagement since Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement on August 7.
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The agreement commits the three signatories to collective defense, under which an armed attack against one member is to be treated as an attack against all.
Pakistan and Türkiye have emphasized that the agreement is defensive in nature and is not directed against any particular country. It also provides for deeper military coordination, joint exercises and cooperation in defense technology.
