Omani FM meets PM Shehbaz, commends Pakistan's 'sustained diplomatic efforts' for regional peace

AI Summary

Oman’s foreign minister Badr Albusaidi met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials, praising Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions. The visit included the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission and agreements covering media, information technology, archives, and official exchanges, as both countries called for dialogue amid a widening Middle East conflict.

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday and appreciated Pakistan’s “sustained diplomatic efforts” for de-escalation and peaceful solutions to regional challenges, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. Both Pakistan and Oman have been engaged in efforts for de-escalation after US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February resulted in a conflict that has now expanded further into the Middle East. Albusaidi’s meeting with PM Shehbaz was held on the second day of his two-day trip to Pakistan, during which he also attended the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) and held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. In his meeting with the Omani foreign minister, PM Shehbaz “highlighted that the strong bond of shared faith, geography, history, culture, and centuries of people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and Oman provided a strong fraternal foundation to the bilateral relationship”, the PMO statement said. The premier underscored that Pakistan considered Oman a brotherly country, an important maritime neighbour and a valuable partner in a critically important region, it added. “The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the successful convening of the 8th Session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission. “He hoped that the meeting would provide a strong foundation for further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and deepening engagement between the two brotherly countries,” the statement said. It further stated that PM Shehbaz “noted with deep satisfaction the unanimity of views between Pakistan and Oman on all regional and global issues”. He appreciated Oman’s “principled stance” of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes, the statement said. For his part, Albusaidi thanked the government of Pakistan for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation and “expressed satisfaction on successful holding of the 8th JMC session”, the PMO statement said. It added that the Omani foreign minister “agreed that it (JMC session) would pave the way for enhanced bilateral collaboration in diverse sectors for mutual benefit”. “The Omani foreign minister also appreciated Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic efforts towards de-escalating tensions and advancing peaceful solutions to regional challenges,” the statement read. It added that PM Shehbaz also witnessed the signing of the Protocol of the 8th session of the Pakistan-Oman JMC, as well as agreements and memoranda of understanding for bilateral cooperation between the two sides in the areas of media cooperation, news and information exchange, historical documentation and archives management, communication and information technology and facilitation of diplomatic and official exchanges. ‘Totally unacceptable’ Earlier in the day, Albusaidi held a joint press conference with Deputy PM Dar, during which the latter said that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia were “totally unacceptable”. At the outset of the press conference, Dar said that the two sides would sign a protocol relating to the commission. He said that this reflected “a shared resolve to further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest”. He said that the two sides would also sign an agreement for mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports. “Pakistan-Oman friendship remains strong and forward-looking,” he told the media. He added that the two ministers had also agreed to hold a business-to-business investment forum in Pakistan. The ministers discussed the situation in the Gulf as well, he said, adding that “Pakistan remained committed to contributing constructively to diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region”. Dar said that the two sides also exchanged views on recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. He said that he conveyed Pakistan’s condemnation of the attacks. “I underscored that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are totally unacceptable. My brother [Albusaidi] actually fully endorses this. Violations of international law pose a serious threat to regional peace and security,” he said. “I reaffirmed Pakistan’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and our unwavering commitment to the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security in accordance with the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement,” he said. They also “emphasised the urgent need for unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza”, Dar said. DPM Dar also stressed that India’s unilateral abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty was “a material breach of international law”. “This action threatens the water, food and energy security of Pakistan’s 250 million people,” Dar said. Speaking at the occasion, Albusaidi said the JMC had “provided an important opportunity to review the state of bilateral relations”. He said that two sides “reaffirmed the s