Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar departed for Istanbul on Friday to take part in a ministerial meeting of the R4 group and a broader session that adds three European powers, marking the first time the seven countries will convene in this configuration.
The R4 brings together Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt. The expanded R4+E3 format adds the United Kingdom, Germany and France, collectively known as the E3.
Invitation From Ankara
Dar is attending at the invitation of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The R4 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is being held in Istanbul, and the R4+E3 session will follow, bringing the E3 countries to the table with the four-member group for the first time.
Focus on Regional Developments
According to the Foreign Office, the discussions will centre on key regional developments and will explore coordinated diplomatic approaches to shared challenges. The agenda also covers efforts to advance regional peace and stability.
- R4 members: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt
- E3 participants: United Kingdom, France and Germany
- First joint meeting of all seven countries in this format
- Bilateral meetings with counterparts planned on the sidelines
Bilateral Talks on the Sidelines
During the visit, Dar is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts, using the Istanbul gathering to advance Pakistan’s engagements with individual partners.
Diplomatic Signal
Pakistan’s participation, the Foreign Office said, reflects its continued commitment to constructive diplomacy, regional cooperation and the peaceful resolution of disputes. The expanded format places Islamabad in a single setting alongside Gulf, North African and major European capitals at a time of shifting regional dynamics.
