FMs discuss regional and international developments, as well as the forthcoming R4 and R4+E4 meetings in Europe
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reiterated an invitation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Cairo, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar responding positively during a telephone conversation between the two officials, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Sunday.
In a statement posted on X, the FO said Dar and Abdelatty had also discussed regional and international developments, as well as the forthcoming R4 and R4+E4 meetings in Europe.
“Both Ministers underscored the importance of strengthening coordination on regional issues and advancing efforts for peace and stability,” the FO said.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of Egypt, H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, today.
The two ministers exchanged views on regional and international developments. They also discussed the… pic.twitter.com/bVBUptfOEC
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) November 15, 2026
It added that Dar had thanked his Egyptian counterpart for the invitation and “responded positively” to it.
The two ministers also agreed to “maintain close contact and continue consultations on matters of mutual interest”, according to the statement.
Pakistan and Egypt have stepped up high-level diplomatic engagement in recent months, with both sides seeking closer cooperation on regional issues, trade and defence.
During Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty’s visit to Islamabad in November 2025, the two countries agreed to establish a Pakistan-Egypt Business Council and Business Forum, facilitate visa access for Pakistani businesses and double the number of scholarships for Pakistani students at Al-Azhar University in Cairo.
The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye last met on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 22 to discuss regional developments and efforts to promote peace and stability.
Read: FM Dar, Iranian FM discuss regional situation, OIC meeting in Baghdad
During the meeting, the four countries condemned attacks against Saudi Arabia, including recent Houthi attacks, and reaffirmed their support for the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security. They also stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, called for the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding to be upheld to help secure lasting regional peace and stability, and reiterated support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
The Istanbul meeting, however, assumes added significance because it will be the first major R-4 engagement since Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7.
The agreement commits the three countries to collective defence, with an armed attack against one member to be treated as an attack against all. Pakistan and Türkiye have stressed that the pact is defensive in nature and is not directed against any particular country. The agreement also envisages deeper military coordination, joint exercises and cooperation in defence technology.
Egypt’s potential participation had emerged as an important question in the run-up to the Makkah agreement. Turkish officials had indicated that Cairo could eventually join the new defence arrangement, given its military weight and strategic importance in the region. However, Egypt did not become a signatory when Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye concluded the pact in Makkah.
