A consequential diplomatic moment for Pakistan

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A significant diplomatic development has taken place in Islamabad. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye visited at the invitation of Pakistan’s foreign minister to coordinate positions ahead of anticipated US–Iran talks and to signal regional solidarity earlier this week. This was the second meeting of the quadrilateral group in two weeks, following earlier consultations in Riyadh in mid-March. It also followed a period of active diplomacy, with Islamabad engaging both Tehran and Washington to urge restraint in a conflict where the costs are likely to outweigh any gains.

The effort to “tame Iran” has already imposed considerable costs. Despite cautionary advice from Gulf states, the conflict has led to loss of life, damage to infrastructure and rising global uncertainty. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted energy markets, unsettled stock exchanges and weakened business confidence. Travel, hospitality and maritime trade have all been affected. The consequences of this crisis continue to unfold, reinforcing the urgency of de-escalation. In this context, Pakistan’s push for dialogue has........

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