Pakistan eyes economic integration with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt

Pakistan has stepped up efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and security, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar holding a high-level meeting with senior diplomats from Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The meeting came two days after Dar engaged key global counterparts to intensify Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach following the “Islamabad Talks” between the United States and Iran, which ended without a peace deal.

In separate telephone calls on Sunday, Dar briefed Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the outcome of the talks and Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate engagement between Washington and Tehran.

Tensions have escalated since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, prompting retaliation from Tehran. Key disputes include Iran’s nuclear program, regional conflicts and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar met Turkey’s Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya, Egypt’s Assistant Foreign Minister Ambassador Nazih El Naggari and Saudi Arabia’s senior official Abdullah bin Khalid bin Saud Al-Kabeer Al Saud. The discussions focused on enhancing collaboration among the four countries on key regional and global issues.

Dar underscored the longstanding “brotherly relations” shared by Pakistan with Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, highlighting a growing convergence of views on matters of mutual interest. He emphasized the need to institutionalize cooperation through a structured framework aimed at promoting peace, economic development and shared prosperity.

The meeting coincided with the inaugural Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, held in Islamabad on Tuesday. Senior diplomats from all participating nations attended the session, marking a significant step toward formalizing cooperation.

Pakistan’s delegation to the SOM was led by Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, Additional Foreign Secretary and spokesperson. The delegations of Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia were headed respectively by Kulaklikaya, El Naggari and Prince Abdullah bin Khalid.

Deliberations at the SOM will be submitted for consideration at the forthcoming foreign ministers’ meeting of the four countries, scheduled to be held in Antalya on April 17, 2026, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.