ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) Diplomacy intensifies: Shahbaz Sharif visits Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey

ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the credit for direct talks between Iran and the US after many decades goes to Pakistan, and Pakistan remains hopeful for positive progress in the talks. Pakistan has played an important role in reducing tensions on several occasions amid the region’s tense situation. Pakistan mediated and hosted talks between the US and Iran at a time when the world economy was reeling, and it is the result of Pakistan’s efforts that the ceasefire between the two sides is still ongoing. The second round of Iran-US talks will also be held at the same venue as the first. The green signal from the US President for the second round of talks to be held in Pakistan, Pakistan has started arrangements for Iran-US talks. The Prime Minister’s Office has issued orders to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and relevant institutions. The second round of Iran-US talks will also be held at the same venue as the first. Pakistan will host and mediate these talks. Extraordinary security arrangements will be made for the delegations as before. Pakistan will make every effort to make these talks fruitful. If the talks are successful, the Islamabad Agreement will be signed. Shahbaz Sharif said that after 47 years, face-to-face talks between the United States and Iran at the highest level have been held, which is an important development. He paid tribute to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, saying that their insight and foresight played an important role in managing the tense situation and preventing war. According to the Prime Minister, the Field Marshal and his team kept awake at night and monitored the situation, and on many occasions, timely measures were taken to bring matters under control. In the meeting, the federal cabinet also appreciated the Prime Minister’s efforts for the Iran-US talks, while the efforts of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Field Marshal were also praised. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has expressed hope that the US and Iran will continue the talks. Ishaq Dar said that it is very important that the parties stick to their commitment to the ceasefire. He added that Pakistan has been playing its role in facilitating contacts and talks between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America and will continue to play this role in the coming days. The Iranian delegation, led by Parliamentary Speaker Baqir Qalibaf, arrived in Islamabad on Friday night. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was also part of the delegation. The US delegation, led by US Vice President JD Vance, arrived in Islamabad. Before the talks, the US and Iranian delegations met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately. Later on Saturday, talks between the US and Iranian delegations began, which lasted for 21 hours but did not reach a conclusion. Ishaq Dar said that we hope that both countries will move forward with a positive mindset for lasting peace and prosperity in the region and the world. Both countries responded positively to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s request. He said that the US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance arrived in Pakistan. The Iranian delegation, led by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf, participated in the talks. There were several rounds of comprehensive and constructive talks between the two sides. He said that he, as Deputy Prime Minister, and Field Marshal Asim Munir, facilitated the negotiation process. Ishaq Dar further said that he is grateful for the recognition of Pakistan’s positive role by both countries. A high-level Pakistani delegation led by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has reached Tehran to discuss relations between Iran and the US. On the other hand, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is also on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, where high-level meetings are expected. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a high-level Pakistani delegation led by Field Marshal Asim Munir has reached Tehran. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is also accompanying the Field Marshal in the delegation. According to the ISPR, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi welcomed the delegation upon Field Marshal Asim Munir’s arrival in Tehran. The Field Marshal’s visit is part of the mediation efforts. This visit is part of Pakistan’s important diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the region and advance the ongoing international negotiation process. The delegation will discuss peace, stability, and the promotion of mutual cooperation in meetings with the Iranian leadership. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baqai told a press briefing that messages are being exchanged with the United States through Pakistan, and Iran is hosting the Pakistani delegation today in continuation of the negotiations. According to Esmail Baqai, diplomatic contacts are maintained through Pakistani mediation, and further talks are expected to achieve a complete ceasefire. He also said that messages are being exchanged with the United States through Pakistan. According to Al Jazeera, an important meeting is underway between Iranian officials and a high-level Pakistani delegation in Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has also shared a video of the meeting with the delegation on his Telegram channel. The Pakistani delegation, led by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has arrived in Iran and is engaged in diplomatic efforts for a possible new round of talks between Iran and the United States.The first round of important talks in Islamabad after the ceasefire between Iran and the US was held on April 11, which ended without any agreement; however, it is being shown that the second round of talks between the two countries will also be held in Islamabad this week.
US President Donald Trump has also hinted at this. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office of Pakistan has said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar will be in a bilateral context where he will meet the top leadership of both countries. On the other hand, the Prime Minister will also visit Turkey, where he will participate in the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum. According to the statement, during the forum, the Prime Minister will participate in the Leaders’ Panel along with other world leaders and present Pakistan’s position in the forum. It is being shown that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also meet Recep Tayyip Erdogan during this time. Earlier, on September 17, 2025, a strategic mutual defense agreement was signed between the two Islamic countries by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Sharif. Under this agreement, Pakistan has sent military equipment to Saudi Arabia in the past few days. The visit follows a series of recent consultative meetings on the Middle East, including a quadrilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt in Islamabad last month. Senior officials from the four countries held another meeting in Islamabad this week. Pakistan is in constant touch with its regional partners in view of the changing geopolitical situation in the region. The major Saudi visits during the past year (March 2025–April 2026) are:

March 19-22, 2025: Four-day official visit to Jeddah, which included meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

June 5-6, 2025: Official visit to perform Umrah and meet with Saudi leadership.

September 17-18, 2025: Visit to formalize cooperation and sign a strategic mutual defense agreement.

October 26-29, 2025: Visit to Riyadh to attend the 9th Future Investment Initiative.

November 10-11, 2025: Attended the second joint Arab-Islamic summit.

December 3-4, 2025: Attended the ‘One Water Summit’ in Riyadh.

March 12, 2026: Meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.

April 15, 2026: Scheduled to depart for the latest official visit, which is part of a three-nation tour including Qatar and Turkey. According to officials, the Prime Minister’s visit reflects Islamabad’s commitment to dialogue, multilateral cooperation, and regional stability. Ahead of the visit, Pakistan’s Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb told the media in Washington that Saudi Arabia has pledged additional deposits of US$3 billion, which are expected to be disbursed next week. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz received Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Jeddah Airport. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Atta Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi are also accompanying the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey from April 15 to April 18. The Prime Minister will hold meetings with the leadership of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in which ongoing bilateral cooperation as well as regional peace and security will be discussed. The Prime Minister will also visit Turkey to participate in the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum. During the forum, the Prime Minister, along with other world leaders, will participate in the ‘Leaders’ Panel’ to present Pakistan’s perspective at the forum. The Prime Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other important world leaders on the sidelines of the forum. These visits are considered very important in the context of the war between the US and Iran and the recent talks in Islamabad. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has discussed the creation of a joint cooperation framework on regional and global issues in his meeting with top diplomats of Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan said that a joint cooperation framework should be formed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey, which aims to achieve the common goals of peace, prosperity, and economic development. Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has discussed the promotion of close cooperation between the four countries in a meeting with senior diplomats of Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. According to a Foreign Office spokesperson, senior diplomats of the three countries are currently in Pakistan, where the inaugural meeting of senior officials between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt was held in Islamabad today. Ishaq Dar met with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kalakli Kaya, Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Nazih Al-Najari, and Saudi Arabia’s Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prince Dr. Abdullah bin Khalid bin Saud Al-Kabir Al-Saud. The statement said that during the meeting, the Foreign Minister appreciated the brotherly relations between the four brotherly countries and the coordination on important regional and global issues. Senior officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt also met to discuss issues related to cooperation between the four countries. According to the statement, the meeting was held in continuation of the Foreign Ministers’ Consultative Meeting held on March 29. The meeting was led by Additional Foreign Secretary and Spokesperson Ambassador Tahir Andrabi from Pakistan. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey, the Assistant Foreign Minister of Egypt, and the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Prince Dr. Abdullah bin Khalid bin Saud Al-Kabir Al-Saud. The results of the consultation held in the meeting will be presented at the next meeting of the Foreign Ministers to be held in Antalya, Turkey, on April 17, which will be held on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. On the other hand, earlier, there were reports that Pakistan was hosting the second round of peace talks between Iran and the United States this week, which has not been officially confirmed.