ISLAMABAD - Pakistan is all set to host the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt from March 29 to 30 for ‘in-depth’ discussions on the Middle East conflict.

The dignitaries will hold in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to ease tensions amid the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. Islamabad has emerged as a key mediator between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other as their war drags on. Islamabad has been serving as a go-between for messages between the two sides.

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The Foreign Office (FO), in a statement on Saturday, said that the visit comes at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkiye’s Hakan Fidan, and Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty will visit Islamabad for the purpose. “During the visit, the foreign ministers will hold in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region. The visiting dignitaries will also call on the Prime Minister [Shebaz Sharif],” the FO statement said, adding “Pakistan highly valued its relations with the brotherly countries of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt.”

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The visit, according to the Foreign Office, would provide an opportunity to further strengthen Pakistan’s cooperation and coordination with these countries across multifaceted areas of mutual interest.

According to Ishaq Dar, the meeting was originally planned to take place in Turkiye, but he invited the delegations to Islamabad due to scheduling constraints. The deputy prime minister said that Pakistan is working with honesty and sincerity to resolve ongoing disputes and is receiving strong support from friendly countries. He said that talks with Iran are continuing, but due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, officials are refraining from making public statements.

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Three days ago, Dar confirmed that indirect talks between the United States and Iran were underway through messages being relayed by Pakistan, with Turkiye and Egypt also helping in the effort. These efforts included direct contact between the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump on Sunday, confirmed by the White House. Subsequently, according to a senior Iranian source, Pakistan delivered a US proposal to Iran. However, Iran rejected the US proposal, insisting it will end the ongoing “imposed war” on its own terms and timeline.

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As part of preparations, PM Sharif had a detailed telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier on Saturday, lasting over one hour. “I reiterated Pakistan´s strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including recent strikes on civilian infrastructure, and conveyed Pakistan´s solidarity with the brave people of Iran,” he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, the security apparatus in Islamabad has been placed on high alert as Pakistan moves to facilitate potential high-stakes discussions to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Security agencies have finalized a robust, multi-layered plan to ensure the safety of dignitaries. Security personnel have sealed the Capital’s Red Zone, which houses crucial government buildings and diplomatic missions, to prevent unauthorized entry, according to sources privy to security arrangements. Elite police commandos and paramilitary Rangers have been deployed in high-risk areas. Surveillance was ramped up across Islamabad, with plainclothes officials monitoring sensitive locations, following reports that Pakistan is hosting the talks.

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