Dar holds meeting with top US diplomat ahead of PM’s Washington visit

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held crucial talks with top US diplomat in Islamabad ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Washington to participate in the maiden session of the Board of Peace (BoP) scheduled for February 15.

Sources said that in addition to attending the BoP’s inaugural session, the Pakistani delegation is also likely to hold high-level bilateral talks on a range of international and bilateral issues, including trade and investment.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Friday, Dar held talks with US Chargé d’Affairs Natalie Baker at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

The statement said that the discussions were held on the broad contours of bilateral relations and cooperation to support collective efforts for peace and security in the region and beyond.

Dar welcomed the positive momentum in the US-Pakistan ties, underscoring the importance of high-level engagements to further strengthen cooperation in diverse areas of mutual interest.

According to sources, the MoFA has already sought talking points and briefing materials from all relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance, for discussions expected to take place between the two sides on the sidelines of the BoP session.

READ MORE: Pakistan, US to hold high-level talks

On Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi acknowledged Pakistan’s intention to hold talks with US authorities on bilateral issues. However, he clarified that the composition of the Pakistani delegation accompanying the Prime Minister has yet to be finalised. Details regarding other members of the delegation and its engagements with the US government (on bilateral issues) during the visit will be shared with the media in due course.

The expected Pakistan-US engagements are set to take place at a time of heightened tension and uncertainty in the region, amid the ongoing standoff between Iran and the United States, despite high-level talks facilitated by Oman.

According to sources, discussions between Pakistan and the United States are expected to focus on bilateral relations, regional cooperation, and economic partnership.

According to sources, MoFA had sought briefing material from a wide range of ministries and divisions, including the Ministries of Finance, Commerce, Economic Affairs, Energy, Federal Education and Professional Training, Human Rights, Industries and Production, Information Technology and Telecommunication, Interior, National Food Security and Research, National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, National Security Division, Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Planning and Special Initiatives, Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Science and Technology, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.

Some circles believe that the Prime Minister’s visit will be primarily focused on the BoP meeting, and that US authorities are less likely to engage extensively with Pakistan on issues of bilateral interest. They argue that the BoP’s mandate is strictly limited to ensuring peace in Gaza and overseeing post-conflict reconstruction in the region.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026