Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar disclosed on Tuesday that Pakistan’s proactive diplomatic shuttle between Tehran and Riyadh successfully deterred heavier Iranian strikes on Saudi Arabia. Speaking at the Foreign Office and later the Senate, Mr. Dar underscored Pakistan’s role as a regional stabilizer and its unwavering commitment to the Pak-Saudi Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement.
The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia H.R.H. Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif exchange the documents of the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) in Riyadh.#PMShehbazInKSA… pic.twitter.com/hJSft3GnyG
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) September 17, 2025
Diplomatic Shuttle and “Strategic Assurances”
Amidst ongoing missile and drone barrages across the Gulf, Mr. Dar revealed that he personally sensitized the Iranian leadership regarding the sovereign defense pact between Islamabad and Riyadh. The Deputy PM noted that the 2025 agreement stipulates that any aggression against one is considered aggression against both.
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The Compromise: Iranian leaders sought assurances that Saudi soil would not be utilized by U.S. or Israeli forces for attacks against Iran.
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The Result: Following “shuttle communication” facilitated by Pakistan, these assurances were secured. Mr. Dar noted that consequently, Saudi Arabia has faced significantly fewer attacks compared to other regional states housing U.S. assets.
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Correction on Targets: While Tehran claimed to target U.S. military installations, Mr. Dar clarified that impacts have frequently hit civilian infrastructure, including airports, hotels, and residential areas.
BREAKING:
Pakistan says it called Iran’s leadership, reminding them of Pakistan’s mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia, indicating mutual defense obligations if incurred.
Pakistan’s FM says that as a result, the least amount of attacks from Iran is to Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/B9wxrGl71K
— The STRATCOM Bureau (@OSPSF) March 3, 2026
Status of the Pakistani Diaspora
The Foreign Minister provided a comprehensive update on the safety and repatriation efforts for Pakistani nationals caught in the crossfire:
| Country | Diaspora Size | Status / Stranded Count |
| Saudi Arabia | 2.5 Million | Reported “relatively stable.” |
| Qatar | 350,000 | 1,400 tourists stranded; mission facilitating. |
| Kuwait | 101,000 | 27 stranded; embassy in direct contact. |
| Iraq | 40,000 | 500 in Kurdistan requesting repatriation. |
| UAE | N/A | One Pakistani national confirmed deceased in Abu Dhabi. |
| Bahrain | 134,000 | No nationals reported stranded. |
| Jordan | 18,000 | No nationals reported stranded. |
Nobel Peace Prize Context
Addressing queries regarding Pakistan’s nomination of the U.S. President for the Nobel Peace Prize, Mr. Dar clarified that the nomination was specifically linked to the President’s role in de-escalating the India-Pakistan conflict of 2025, rather than the current Middle Eastern hostilities.
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