ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday met his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Istanbul to discuss bilateral ties and strategic cooperation, as he held a series of diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers.
The talks came as the escalating crisis in the Middle East, particularly Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and its recent strikes inside Iran, dominated the agenda of the high-level summit, drawing sharp rebukes from several Muslim countries including Pakistan.
“Delighted to meet my brother, HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on the sidelines of the 51st OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Istanbul,” Dar said in a social media post. “We reaffirmed the deep-rooted brotherly ties between our two countries & explored avenues to further strengthen our strategic cooperation across all sectors.”
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The meeting underscored Pakistan’s close relations with Saudi Arabia, which has extended critical financial support to help Islamabad navigate a prolonged economic crisis in recent years. The Kingdom played a key role in unlocking a crucial loan program from the International Monetary Fund and remains Pakistan’s largest source of worker remittances, a major pillar of the country’s economy.
Dar also met Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya to discuss expanding trade and investment ties, amid Pakistan’s efforts to attract Gulf investment and secure more employment opportunities for its workers in the region.
“Met my dear brother Abdullah Al-Yahya, Foreign Minister of Kuwait, on the sidelines of the 51st OIC CFM in Istanbul,” he said. “We discussed Pak–Kuwait bilateral ties, trade & investment, cooperation within OIC, and regional & international developments of mutual concern. Grateful for Kuwait’s steadfast support, especially amidst recent escalations [with India].”
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Dar also held a meeting with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu to reaffirm strong bilateral ties and explore opportunities for regional connectivity.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, the two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, investment and infrastructure, with Dar welcoming a planned high-level visit from Kazakhstan to Pakistan in October 2025 to strengthen the partnership further.
Islamabad has repeatedly highlighted the importance of ties with Central Asian states, offering its southern ports as a gateway for the landlocked region to access international markets through sea trade.
Pakistan’s foreign minister meets Saudi, Kuwaiti and Kazakh counterparts on OIC sidelines
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Pakistan’s foreign minister meets Saudi, Kuwaiti and Kazakh counterparts on OIC sidelines
- Ishaq Dar and Prince Faisal bin Farhan discuss avenues to strengthen ‘strategic cooperation across all sectors’
- Dar also focuses on enhanced trade and investment in talks with the Kuwaiti and Kazakh foreign ministers
Pakistan, Bangladesh agree to strengthen economic, trade and tax cooperation
- Bangladesh High Commissioner Iqbal Hussain Khan meets Federal Board of Revenue chairman in Islamabad
- A delegation of Bangladesh’s revenue authority is in Pakistan to discuss tax convention between Islamabad, Dhaka
ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh High Commissioner Iqbal Hussain Khan met Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial this week to discuss measures related to enhancing economic, trade and tax cooperation, the FBR said in a statement.
Currently, a high-level delegation of Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) is on a five-day visit to Pakistan to initiate negotiations to amend the existing Convention for Avoidance of Double Taxation & Prevention of Fiscal Evasion regarding taxes on income.
Khan met Langrial at the FBR headquarters in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on Monday during which both sides reviewed their historic ties and agreed to strengthen them further.
“FBR spokesperson and NBR exchanged views and shared experiences on matters relating to international taxation and agreed to enhance institutional collaboration through regular engagements for stronger economic cooperation,” the FBR said in a statement on social media platform X.
Islamabad and Dhaka have attempted to move closer in recent times after the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024 following violent protests in Bangladesh.
During Hasina’s tenure, Bangladesh had bitter ties with Pakistan and had forged closer relations with Islamabad’s traditional rival India.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were part of the same country in 1971 before the latter seceded into a separate country following a bloody war.
