Officials said the visit will focus on regional security and growing tensions following the US-Israel war on Iran, which has raised fears of a wider conflict in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is accompanying the prime minister on the trip, according to the Foreign Office. Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts after the war in Iran triggered instability across the Middle East
The conflict began after US and Israeli attacks on Iran, which reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and pushed the region into a serious crisis. Pakistan’s leadership has been in contact with several countries in the region and Gulf states in an attempt to reduce tensions and promote dialogue.
Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly targeted US bases and other locations in Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Tehran has also closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies, causing oil prices to surge. Iran has warned that prices could rise to around $200 per barrel.
In another key development, Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir recently met Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to discuss Iran’s attacks on the kingdom. The meeting took place under the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September last year.
Under this agreement, an attack on one country is considered an act of aggression against both nations. Prince Khalid bin Salman later said the talks focused on ways to stop the attacks and maintain security and stability in the region.
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He also expressed hope that Iran would act with wisdom and avoid what he called “wrong calculations”. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said it intercepted two drones heading towards the Shaybah oil field, which is a vital facility for the kingdom’s oil production.
A defence ministry spokesperson confirmed on X that the drones were intercepted and destroyed before reaching the target. Saudi officials also said several drone attacks targeting the same facility had been foiled earlier.
Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media Mohsarraf Zaidi said Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia in difficult times. He said it is certain that Islamabad will support Riyadh “no matter what and no matter when”.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed regret over attacks in regional countries but warned that Iran will target sites used to launch strikes against its territory. Zaidi also noted that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always followed the principle of supporting each other during difficult moments.
