Pakistan's deputy PM departs for Cairo to attend R-4 foreign ministers meeting

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar departed for Cairo on Saturday to attend the fourth meeting of the R-4 Foreign Ministers Group, a diplomatic bloc of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye focused on regional security.

The meeting, scheduled for Sunday, comes at the invitation of Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.

What is the R-4 group and which countries are members?

The R-4, or Regional Four, is a diplomatic and security framework launched in early 2026, bringing together Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt.

The group was established as a dedicated coordination mechanism amid heightened geopolitical tensions and instability across the Middle East, focusing on de-escalating regional crises and coordinating political and economic positions.

Pakistan hosted the previous quadrilateral session in Islamabad three months ago, where the four nations concentrated on the Middle East crisis and collective de-escalation efforts.

What will be discussed at the Cairo R-4 meeting?

According to Pakistan's Foreign Office, the ministers will review evolving regional developments and exchange perspectives on matters concerning peace, security, and stability.

Building on previous diplomatic outcomes, officials are also set to discuss actionable steps to expand economic, political, and security cooperation.

"The R-4 framework reflects the participating countries' shared commitment to consultation, cooperation, and coordinated efforts in support of regional peace and prosperity," the Foreign Office said, adding that Islamabad attaches significant importance to its relationships with Cairo, Riyadh, and Ankara.

What bilateral meetings is Dar holding in Cairo?

Aside from the plenary sessions, Dar is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral consultations on the sidelines of the summit. He will meet one-on-one with Abdelatty to discuss deepening bilateral ties, and he is also expected to call on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Those discussions are expected to focus on elevating Pakistan-Egypt coordination in trade, security, and diplomatic cooperation, while aligning strategies on global developments.

The four-nation alliance reflects a growing diplomatic alignment among key Muslim-majority powers seeking a unified response to security challenges affecting South Asia and the broader Mediterranean and Gulf regions.