WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is set to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday, as Pakistan steps up diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East and supporting ongoing peace negotiations involving Iran and the United States.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed the visit on Thursday, saying the two leaders will review bilateral relations and exchange views on “regional and global developments of mutual interest.” Officials familiar with the discussions say Islamabad’s recent mediation efforts in the Gulf region are expected to dominate the agenda.
The meeting comes at a sensitive time. The region remains on edge following months of confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States, with fragile ceasefire efforts still holding under heavy international pressure. Pakistan, alongside Qatar and several Gulf states, has quietly increased diplomatic engagement in an attempt to prevent another escalation.
According to diplomatic sources, Islamabad has been positioning itself as a communication bridge between Tehran and Washington. Pakistani military and civilian officials have held a series of contacts with regional capitals in recent weeks, including Tehran, Riyadh and Doha, to support negotiations linked to reopening regional trade routes and maintaining stability around the Strait of Hormuz.
Officials say Dar is also expected to discuss broader Pakistan-U.S. cooperation, including trade, counterterrorism and regional security issues. The talks are being watched closely by diplomatic observers, especially after Washington publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s role in encouraging dialogue during the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping praised Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and its efforts to support peace negotiations involving Iran, highlighting Islamabad’s growing role in regional mediation.
