Amb. Haroon Shaukat (Former Diplomat):Pakistan’s participation in R4 (Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia) and E4 (France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom) meeting in Istanbul marks the global importance gained by Islamabad during last one and half year. Therefore, at present Pakistan is managing key global issues. During last one and half years made marvelous achievements; Pakistan inked bilateral defence pact with Saudi Arabia, then facilitated Islamabad Accord, inked Makkah Agreement with KSA, Turkiye, then Qatar pact with three other countries Turkiye, Indonesia, Qatar. Actually R4 meeting reflects the increasing importance of four regional countries at regional and international level. Other aspect of occurrence of R4 and E4 meeting is the mounting regional escalations which require all political and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation in Middle East. Non state actors can disrupt peace efforts between major countries and create unrest in the region. In this background R4 and E4 have sent a clear message that peace must be restored at all costs. In this regard, regional countries must press Iran diplomatically to cool down the situation; Then EU must be utilized to bar the US and Israel from further aggravating the escalations. I think that Istanbul meeting is a good effort towards the right direction. Istanbul meeting discussed three global conflicts including Gaza, Middle East and Ukraine. Threats of renewed US and Israeli attacks on Iran would be dangerous for the region; however, US public opinion is against US war on Iran. China and Russia collectively can press US to avoid further attacks on Iran; otherwise no other country can press US.

Dr. Munawar Hussain (IR Expert): Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia (R4) and France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom (E4) have discussed navigation through straits Hormuz and Yemen situation just because of economic issues of Europe. Situation in Middle East has increased the cost of living in Europe and the US resulting in mass protests in several European countries. Even the US and EU are at pool apart on the reasons behind the EU protests. EU is more concerned about closure of Straits of Hormuz and Bab al Mandab. Istanbul meeting is a good development towards the right direction. Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have become very active on diplomatic fronts and established contacts with Yemeni Houthis and Iran to de-escalate the situation and to bar Israel and US from another round of war.