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PM SHEHBAZ THANKS REGIONAL ALLIES AS PAKISTAN STEPS UP PUSH FOR US-IRAN PEACE TALKS Tuesday, 31 March, 2026 | 11 Shawwal, 1447
g PAKISTAN HOSTS KEY
QUADRILATERAL TALKS TO DEFUSE ESCALATING US-IRAN TENSIONS
g PM SHEHBAZ LAUDS
SAUDI, TURKISH AND EGYPTIAN SUPPORT FOR PEACE EFFORTS
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 5 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
g ISLAMABAD OFFERS TO
FACILITATE DIRECT WASHINGTON-TEHRAN NEGOTIATIONS
g CEASEFIRE PROSPECTS EMERGE AS DIPLOMATIC MOMENTUM BUILDS IN REGION
Dar heads to China despite injury as Pakistan pushes diplomatic drive on Iran crisis ISLAMABAD
Staff CorreSpondent
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ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday thanked the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt following a key quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad, appreciating their confidence in Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, brought together top diplomats from the four countries as part of a coordinated push to de-escalate the month-long conflict between the United States and Iran, which has raised fears of wider regional fallout and disruption to global energy supplies.
In a post on X, the prime minister said it was a pleasure to receive Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, reaffirming Pakistan’s “unwavering solidarity” with the Kingdom and commending Riyadh’s restraint during the ongoing crisis. He also acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s leadership role in the Muslim world, stressing the need for unity among Islamic countries, and noted that both sides had agreed to maintain close coordination in pursuit of peace and stability. Separately, PM Shehbaz welcomed Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty, underscoring the urgency of collective efforts to end hostilities that are causing significant loss of life and economic damage across Iran and other
China urges swift US-Iran peace talks, praises Pakistan's mediation efforts BEIJING
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China on Monday called on the United States and Iran to initiate peace talks "as soon as possible" while commending Pakistan for its ongoing mediation efforts amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. "China calls on relevant parties to start peace talks as soon as possible," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters, emphasizing that Beijing supports all initiatives conducive to de-escalation and dialogue. "We commend Pakistan for its efforts to deescalate tensions," Mao added, responding to a question. She also expressed China’s readiness to work with Pakistan and other parties to strengthen coordination aimed at ending hostilities and safeguarding regional peace and stability. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is all set to head to China today for sharing the outcome of the quadrilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Dar also recently stated that Islamabad would be “honoured” to host talks between the US and Iran as part of its broader mediation efforts. The country also hosted a quadrilateral foreign ministers’ meeting focused on easing the conflict. Mao reiterated China’s opposition to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, noting that "military means will not solve the root cause. The conflict serves no one’s interests." The Middle East has seen heightened violence since Israel and the US launched an offensive against Iran on February 28, resulting in over 1,400 deaths, including Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar will depart for an official visit to China today at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Monday. Describing Pakistan-China ties as an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership,” the FO highlighted the tradition of close coordination and regular consultations between the two countries on regional and global issues. The statement said the visit will allow both sides to engage in detailed discussions on regional developments, alongside bilateral and international matters of mutual interest. Notably, Dar’s decision to proceed with the trip despite medical advice to rest following a hairline shoulder fracture underscores the significance Islamabad places on its relationship with Beijing. The development follows a recent telephone conversation between Dar and Wang Yi, during which they exchanged views on the evolving re-
Muslim countries. He praised the contributions of Turkiye and Egypt and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to playing a con-
gional situation, particularly the ongoing Iran-related conflict. According to a summary released by the Chinese ministry, both sides agreed to promote a ceasefire, halt hostilities, and support the resumption of peace talks, while ensuring the safety of civilian infrastructure and key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. Wang acknowledged that initiating peace talks in the conflict involving Iran remains challenging but stressed such efforts are essential for restoring normal navigation in the vital waterway. He also reiterated China’s support for Pakistan’s role as a mediator. Dar later said Beijing appreciated Islamabad’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, with both sides agreeing to pursue dispute resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. Wang had earlier commended Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting de-escalation in the Middle East during a previous interaction on March 10. The visit comes as Pakistan assumes a central role in mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, working in coordination with Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt.
structive role in bringing Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table.
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President, PM discuss security, economic challenges amid ME escalation ISLAMABAD
EU backs Pakistan's Middle East mediation as PM Shehbaz pledges dialogue and diplomacy ISLAMABAD
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European Council President Antonio Costa on Monday expressed strong diplomatic support for Pakistan’s ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East during a call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasizing that only dialogue and diplomacy can restore stability to the region. The discussion comes amid escalating tensions following US and Israeli airstrikes last month that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials. Tehran’s retaliatory strikes on US military bases across Gulf countries have broadened the conflict, raising concerns over regional and global security. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Costa and PM Shehbaz discussed the ongoing hostilities and Pakistan-EU relations. Both leaders expressed “deep concern over the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf countries and their impact on the global economy,” stressing the need for peaceful resolution through dialogue. PM Shehbaz briefed Costa on Pakistan’s mediation efforts, which the EU Council president endorsed, reaffirming the EU’s support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at de-escalating the crisis. Shehbaz also highlighted the significance of the GSP Plus program and looked forward to inaugurating the first-ever PakistanEU Business Forum in Islamabad on April 28-29. Costa, in his post on X, expressed concern over the prolongation of the conflict and praised Pakistan’s role as a neutral facilitator. “Only dialogue and diplomacy can bring peace and stability back to the Middle East, in full respect of the UN Charter and international law,” he said.
Heavy rains and roof collapses kill 17, injure 56 across KP PESHAWAR
Staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at Aiwan-i-Sadr to deliberate on the country’s overall national security situation and key challenges, according to a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat. The high-level meeting brought together senior civil and security leadership, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, PPP Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, National Security Adviser and ISI Director General Asim Malik, among others. Participants held a detailed review of the evolving regional environment, particularly in light of ongoing Middle East tensions and their potential implications for Pakistan’s security and economic stability. The meeting followed closely on the heels of the recent quadrilateral ministerial meeting in Islamabad, where the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt explored pathways for an early and lasting
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resolution to the regional conflict. The discussion also focused on domestic challenges, including economic pressures, energy security, and internal stability, with particular attention to the impact of global oil market volatility. The leadership underscored the importance of maintaining preparedness and ensuring effective policy responses amid rapidly changing geopolitical conditions. According to the statement, the participants stressed the need for a coordinated national strategy and stronger institutional harmony to address the multifaceted
challenges confronting the country. The emphasis remained on aligning economic management, energy planning, and security policies to ensure stability and safeguard public interests. The meeting builds on last week’s similar high-level consultation chaired by President Zardari, which also included Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, where officials reviewed economic and energy challenges, fuel conservation measures, and public relief efforts amid rising global uncertainties.
At least 17 people, including 14 children, have died and 56 others injured after heavy rains triggered roof and wall collapses across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since March 25, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported on Monday. Intermittent rainfall is expected to continue until Tuesday. Bannu recorded the highest casualties with eight deaths, including seven children and one woman, and 42 injured. Abbottabad reported five fatalities, including four children, while Kohat and North Waziristan saw two and one deaths, respectively. In Battagram, one woman was killed. The rains caused extensive structural damage, with 11 houses reported damaged, five of them in Bannu. In Dad Kachlot village, a roof collapse in Sher Muhammad Khan’s house killed three children: nineyear-old Asif, six-year-old Umrah, and three-year-old Javeria. At Kotka Ghulam Qadir, a veranda roof collapsed at a community center, killing two and injuring 39. Other deadly incidents included: Mama Kheil: house wall collapse killed two children, Abu Sufyan (11) and Wajahatullah (8) Shamdi Khel: roof collapse killed Iqbal’s mother Kohat: Gumbat house roof collapse killed two children, Laiba (10) and Abdul Karim (12) Abbottabad: Khaitar Hajiya Gali roof collapse killed five, including one adult and four children In Lakki Marwat and Nowshera, additional roof collapses injured several residents, who were promptly rescued and hospitalized by local teams.
Rubio says Strait of Hormuz to reopen 'one way or another' DOHA
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United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told Al Jazeera that the Strait of Hormuz will “reopen one way or another” in the wake of the eventual end of the US-Israeli war with Iran. The exclusive interview on Monday came as speculation has grown over a possible US troop deployment in Iran and as the effective closure of the strait continues to roil global oil markets. US boots on the ground would represent a new phase in the grinding conflict, which began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes, even as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that the US is pursuing diplomacy with Iran. Rubio again maintained there were “messages and some direct talks going on between some inside of Iran and the United States, primarily through intermediaries, but there’s been some conversation”. Iran has repeatedly denied that talks were ongoing. Pakistan on Sunday said it
would host direct talks “in the coming days for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict”. Rubio added that Trump “always prefers diplomacy, always prefers an outcome .... and we could have done this before”. The Trump administration had previously pursued indirect talks with Iran to curtail its nuclear programme. One round of talks was derailed last year with Israel’s 12day war against Iran, which ended with US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facility. A second round of diplomacy was underway when the US and Israel began the latest war. Rubio again indicated the US administration’s preference for regime change in Iran, which the US and Israel have so far been unable to achieve despite several highprofile assassinations, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “We would always welcome a scenario in which Iran was led by people that had a different view of the future and had a different view,” he said. “And if that opportunity presents itself, we’re going to take it”.
“The people of Iran are incredible people, very resourceful, very entrepreneurial,” he added. “But it’s their regime that’s been a problem. And instead, they’ve chosen to spend the wealth of their country to support Hezbollah and Hamas and Shiite militias inside of Iraq and to try to destabilise Syria when [Bashar al-Assad] was there,” he said. Nuclear and ballistic weapons Rubio further called on Iran to end its nuclear programme and to curtail its drone and missile programme. He accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons to “threaten and blackmail the world”, a claim Tehran has for years denied, maintaining its nuclear programme was only for civilian purposes. On Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was considering a US Special Forces operation to seize enriched uranium stored in Iran. Military experts have warned throughout the war that US and Israeli air strikes alone would not be able to destroy Iran’s capabilities. In a statement to Al Jazeera, White
House press secretary Karoline Leavitt did not deny the report, but said: “It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the Commander-in-Chief maximum optionality. It does not mean the President has made a decision.” Rubio said Iran needs “to stop sponsor-
ing terrorism, and they need to stop building weapons that can threaten their neighbours,” adding that the “short-range missiles that they’re launching, they only have one purpose, and that is to attack Saudi Arabia and the UAE and Qatar and Kuwait and Bahrain.”