ISTANBUL

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Sunday discussed "evolving regional and international developments" amid the Mideast conflict, which just started its second month.

The two top diplomats stressed "the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and collective efforts to promote peace, security and stability in the region," according to a statement from Islamabad's Foreign Ministry.

They reaffirmed their commitment to closer engagement and agreed to continue working together at both the bilateral and multilateral levels to "further strengthen cooperation and contribute to regional peace and prosperity."

The two sides also "reviewed bilateral relations and discussed joint efforts regarding regional developments," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on the US social media company X.

Faisal was later hosted by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Sharif gave assurances “that Pakistan would always stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia” and also reaffirmed “Pakistan’s full and unwavering solidarity and support” for the Middle Eastern country.

The prince is on a visit to Islamabad for a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting to discuss ongoing mediation efforts to end the Mideast conflict.

The region has been on alert since Israel and the US launched an offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, so far killing more than 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure, while disrupting global markets and aviation.