Ishaq Dar Heads to Istanbul for R-4 Summit After UK Visit

Key Takeaways

• DPM Ishaq Dar completed an official diplomatic visit to the United Kingdom.
• Dar departed for Istanbul to attend the Regional 4 Foreign Ministers Meeting.
• The R-4 group includes Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
• The Istanbul talks focus on regional security and stalled US-Iran negotiations.
• Dar engaged with top UK officials and the British-Pakistani diaspora in London.

Ishaq Dar Wraps Up UK Tour, Arrives in Turkiye

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has concluded a high-level diplomatic visit to the United Kingdom. He has now departed for Istanbul, Turkiye, to attend the upcoming Regional 4 (R-4) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, according to a statement from the Foreign Office (FO).

Highlights of the UK Diplomatic Visit

During his stay in London, DPM Dar engaged in strategic discussions with key British leaders and international delegation heads. His key engagements included high-profile meetings with:

• Ed Miliband: UK Foreign Secretary
• Stephen Doughty: Minister of State for Pakistan
• Jonathan Powell: National Security Adviser
• Arsenio Dominguez: IMO Secretary General
• Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey: Commonwealth Secretary General

Additionally, Dar interacted with British parliamentarians of Pakistani origin and met members of the Pakistani diaspora in the UK.

Focus on Regional Security at the R-4 Summit in Istanbul

Following an invitation from Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Dar accepted the opportunity to represent Pakistan at the R-4 summit in Istanbul. The Regional 4 framework—comprising Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—was formed in March to foster regional stability and facilitate mediation between the US and Iran.

The upcoming talks in Istanbul come at a critical juncture as negotiations between key international parties remain stalled. Previous sessions were held in Riyadh, Islamabad, and Cairo, where participating member states reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated regional peace.

Source: Dawn News

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Pakistan DPM Ishaq Dar visiting Istanbul?

Ishaq Dar is visiting Istanbul to participate in the Regional 4 (R-4) Foreign Ministers' Meeting alongside representatives from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

What is the Regional 4 (R-4) framework?

The R-4 framework is a diplomatic initiative comprising Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt aimed at promoting regional peace, security, and US-Iran mediation.

Who did Ishaq Dar meet during his UK visit?

He met UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Minister Stephen Doughty, NSA Jonathan Powell, and leaders of international organizations like the IMO and Commonwealth.