ISLAMABAD: As tensions flare across the Middle East, Pakistan on Thursday extended a hand of solidarity to Saudi Arabia, following recent Iranian strikes on the kingdom, signalling steadfast support amid escalating regional unrest. In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had conveyed the country’s support directly to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, emphasising that both the government and the people of Pakistan stand with the kingdom at this critical moment. He said Dar had conveyed Pakistan’s strong solidarity and unwavering support to Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan. In a separate statement, the Foreign Office said that Dar met Saudi FM Prince in Riyadh on the sidelines of Arab-Islamic Ministerial meeting. It said that Dar attended the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Arab-Islamic countries in Riyadh on 18th March to discuss recent regional developments. In addition, Dar also attended a quadrilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye held on the sidelines. During the meeting, Dar expressed complete support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of all brotherly regional countries, and emphasised the need to end all attacks against their respective territories. Underscoring the importance of preserving the unity of the Muslim Ummah, Dar called for a swift end to the ongoing conflict and reiterated Pakistan’s call for dialogue and diplomacy. Dar stressed the need to address the root causes of the ongoing crisis affecting the wider region and, in this regard, condemned in the strongest possible terms Israel’s continued aggression and provocations against regional countries. He also condemned the unwarranted attacks on civilians, as well as on energy and critical infrastructure in the region, calling for an end to all such attacks. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026