Islamabad, March 16 Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called for dialogue to address the current conflict in West Asia on Monday.
Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and exchanged views on the latest developments in the ongoing regional situation and its broader implications, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Dar "emphasized the importance of diplomatic engagement, dialogue, and sustained efforts to promote peace, stability, and security in the region," it said.
Separately, Acting US Chargé d’Affaires Zachary Harkenrider met Dar in Islamabad, and their discussions focused on Pakistan-US bilateral relations and ongoing regional developments, the FO said in a separate statement.
Dar "emphasized the importance of diplomatic engagement and underscored the urgent need to promote peace and stability in the region," it said.
Dar's latest engagements are part of a broader Pakistani effort to contain the Middle East conflict, and both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Dar have been frequently interacting with Muslim leaders.
Pakistan's role has been acknowledged by Iran, whose Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi, in a post in Urdu, thanked Islamabad for supporting his country.
"On this blessed, divine, and spiritual day and hour, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their strong expression of solidarity and support with the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the face of the aggression by America and the Zionist regime," he stated.
Araqhchi added that Iran stood with "steadfastness and perseverance in defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, with complete reliance on Allah Almighty".