Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi has commended Pakistan's constructive role in promoting regional peace and security, particularly its efforts to create space for engagement between Iran and the United States amid rising regional tensions. The remarks were made during the 8th Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission session in Islamabad on Wednesday, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, as the two sides discussed regional developments and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
In their opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Dar and Foreign Minister Al Busaidi highlighted the importance of closer coordination to advance regional stability, trade, investment and economic development. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting regional peace, strengthening economic connectivity and expanding bilateral cooperation, emphasising regular high-level engagement and joint efforts to address regional challenges and unlock development opportunities.
Exchanging views on regional developments, the two ministers emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in advancing lasting peace and stability. Deputy Prime Minister Dar said the two sides had agreed to avoid long gaps between ministerial meetings, noting that regular interaction was essential to realising the considerable potential for enhanced bilateral trade, economic activity and investment.
He said the discussions covered areas of mutual interest, alongside regional and international developments, including tensions involving the United States and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, Palestine, Gaza, and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Emphasising the importance of regional stability, the deputy prime minister commended Oman's leadership and diplomatic efforts to promote peace and facilitate dialogue.
He said Pakistan and Oman could play a vital role in addressing ongoing regional challenges, adding that both countries shared similar perspectives on several key issues. Deputy Prime Minister Dar also highlighted the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Oman, noting that although diplomatic relations had spanned 55 years, their historical, cultural and people-to-people ties extended back centuries.
He particularly underscored the strong connections between Oman and Balochistan, including Gwadar. He warned that regional instability had disrupted energy supply chains and contributed to soaring prices, placing additional pressure on ordinary people.
He stressed the need to restore peace and stability to support regional prosperity. Foreign Minister Al Busaidi said the two countries had significant opportunities to deepen cooperation through existing institutional mechanisms, including the friendship association, business council and political consultations between the foreign ministers.
He welcomed the commitment to hold meetings more regularly to translate shared objectives into tangible outcomes. On economic cooperation, the Omani foreign minister identified trade, logistics, port connectivity, energy, food security, technology and tourism as promising areas for collaboration.
He called for stronger private-sector engagement, institutional partnerships, academic and technological cooperation, and increased people-to-people exchanges.