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Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke by telephone with Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty on October 18. The two leaders exchanged views on recent regional developments and strongly condemned the Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia. They reaffirmed their full solidarity with the Kingdom and support for its sovereignty, territorial integrity and security. The Pakistani Foreign Office said the conversation formed part of ongoing diplomatic coordination among regional partners.
Houthi rebels backed by Iran have launched missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia throughout October, Arab News reported. One strike targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 300 others. The Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen stated that two ballistic missiles fired toward Khamis Mushayt were intercepted and destroyed on the day of the ministers’ call. These incidents have targeted civilian infrastructure and disrupted aviation operations across the Kingdom.
The ministers discussed cooperation under the R-4 framework that includes Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, the Pakistani Foreign Office said in its statement. They expressed hope that the group’s next meeting would be held soon to strengthen mutual ties and coordinate on regional issues. The quadrilateral platform previously produced a joint statement in early October that held the Houthis fully accountable for threats to peace and security. That earlier text demanded an immediate and unconditional halt to the attacks.
Dar also held a separate telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on October 18, according to the same Pakistani Foreign Office statement. The pair reviewed the evolving regional situation and the ongoing Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Baghdad. Dar emphasised the value of continued dialogue and diplomacy to address challenges. The two officials agreed to remain in close contact moving forward.
The R-4 grouping has addressed Houthi threats in multiple meetings over recent months, Arab News reported. In September the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Pakistan and Egypt affirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to defend itself under international law and the United Nations Charter. They stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. The participants called for upholding diplomatic instruments such as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
Pakistan has maintained longstanding strategic ties with Saudi Arabia and has repeatedly voiced support for the Kingdom’s security measures. Egypt has similarly backed Saudi efforts to counter aggression, with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi previously stating readiness to defend the Kingdom if requested, according to regional reports. The latest diplomatic exchanges occur as broader efforts seek to contain escalation across the Middle East. The Pakistani Foreign Office noted that both ministers looked forward to deeper coordination through established multilateral channels.
