By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Egypt pledged to further strengthen their longstanding ties on Sunday as their top diplomats met in Islamabad, combining bilateral engagement with urgent consultations on escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held detailed talks with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, reaffirming what both sides described as a “brotherly relationship” rooted in shared history, common faith, and aligned positions on key regional and global issues.

The meeting comes at a critical moment, as Islamabad hosts a series of high-level diplomatic engagements aimed at de-escalating the ongoing Middle East crisis and exploring pathways for broader regional stability.

During the talks, the two ministers reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan–Egypt relations and expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges, including Abdelatty’s previous visit to Pakistan in November 2025.

Both sides agreed to expand cooperation across multiple sectors, with a particular focus on boosting trade and investment. They stressed the importance of activating institutional frameworks such as the Joint Ministerial Commission and enhancing business-to-business engagement to unlock economic potential.

Dar also acknowledged Egypt’s continued support in Pakistan’s health sector, particularly its assistance in efforts to combat Hepatitis C, describing it as a key area of ongoing collaboration.

The two countries expressed satisfaction over growing defence and security cooperation, agreeing to deepen collaboration through training programs and institutional exchanges.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination at multilateral platforms, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, particularly on issues affecting the Muslim world.

A significant portion of the discussions focused on the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. Both ministers underscored the urgent need for restraint and de-escalation, emphasizing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving conflicts.

Dar reiterated Pakistan’s “unwavering support” for the Palestinian people and strongly condemned ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

He also commended Egypt’s role in facilitating humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including support for Pakistan’s relief efforts, highlighting Cairo’s position as a key regional actor in crisis management.

The visit by Egypt’s foreign minister is part of a broader diplomatic push, following recent high-level contacts between the two countries, including discussions held in Riyadh earlier this month.

It also coincides with a series of consultations in Islamabad involving regional powers aimed at addressing escalating tensions and exploring diplomatic solutions to ongoing conflicts.

Analysts say the meeting reflects increasing coordination between Pakistan and Egypt, both of which are seeking to play constructive roles in stabilizing the region while advancing their bilateral partnership.

The talks concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation across all areas of mutual interest, signaling a continued upward trajectory in Pakistan–Egypt relations amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.

Egypt’s foreign minister arrived on Saturday in Islamabad as Pakistan is hosting a two-day quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt in Islamabad starting March 29, 2026, to discuss de-escalation of Middle East tensions and regional stability.