Dar, Omani FM Discuss Regional Tensions, Vow Deeper Bilateral Cooperation
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi on Wednesday discussed regional tensions and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, as the two countries opened the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission in Islamabad. The Pakistan-Oman JMC is the main institutional platform for bilateral ties.
Albusaidi arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday on a two-day official visit. Speaking at the JMC session, Dar said the two sides had “worked out” certain areas of bilateral interest and discussed global issues in detail, including the US-Iran war, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and Gaza, during their restricted meeting.
Dar said the two sides had also discussed Jammu and Kashmir and other pressing regional issues. He commended Albusaidi’s leadership and efforts towards regional peace, particularly in the Middle East. “I personally greatly admire your efforts. I know how much hard work you have put in,” he said, noting that Pakistan’s position regarding the Gulf Cooperation Council was “very unique”.
Pakistan-Oman JMC reviews full spectrum of ties
Dar stressed that there should not be long gaps between bilateral engagements, pointing to potential in trade, economic activity and investment. He said he had promised to visit Oman in 2027 to hold the next JMC session there, adding that both sides had identified areas of mutual interest and discussed possible meetings.
The JMC covers cooperation across trade, investment, industry, agriculture, finance, oil and gas, labour, consular affairs, security and defence. Climate change, civil aviation, education, media and culture also feature in the discussions. The Omani foreign minister is also expected to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his stay.
Dar noted that Pakistan and Oman cooperated closely and cordially, adding that although their diplomatic relations had completed 55 years, their ties went back “centuries”. He said the two countries shared a history of “love and affection”, particularly in relation to Balochistan and Gwadar.
Energy prices and the common man
Referring to discussions on Bab el-Mandeb and recent developments involving the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, Dar said both sides shared similar views on resolving regional issues. He said the impact of regional tensions was also visible in Pakistan, where energy supply chains had been affected and fuel prices had skyrocketed, adding that the “common man could not afford the resulting burden”.
The remarks underline how directly the Gulf crisis touches Pakistani households. Disruptions to shipping through Hormuz and the Red Sea have fed into domestic fuel prices, and Islamabad has been pressing for longer-term energy security, including a proposed 15-year oil facility from Saudi Arabia. Read our report on Pakistan’s push for the Saudi oil facility.
Speaking on the occasion, Albusaidi said Oman was committed to further strengthening bilateral engagement and cooperation in fields that could bring greater benefits to the people of both countries. “I am delighted to be here with my delegation in Islamabad this morning, in this very warm, friendly and brotherly country, Pakistan, with which, as you have rightly said, we share bonds of history, culture, tradition and unity,” he said. Dawn reported the details of the meeting.
Related coverage: Shehbaz meets Makkah Alliance secretary general, Houthis warn of painful response as Saudis strike Yemen fuel sites, Trump says US may have gone too far targeting Iran leaders, and IMF raises Pakistan’s inflation forecast to 9.9%.
What is the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission?
The JMC is the main institutional platform for Pakistan-Oman relations, where ministers from both countries review the full spectrum of bilateral ties and agree on cooperation across trade, energy, labour, security and culture. The current session in Islamabad is the eighth.
What did Dar and Albusaidi discuss?
Beyond bilateral cooperation, the two foreign ministers discussed the US-Iran war, the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, Gaza, Jammu and Kashmir and other regional issues in a restricted meeting.
Why does the Oman visit matter for Pakistan?
Oman has played a mediating role in Middle East diplomacy, and the visit comes as Gulf tensions disrupt energy supplies and shipping. For Pakistan, stable ties with Muscat matter for trade, the Pakistani diaspora in the Gulf and energy security.
