The Pakistani government has summoned its ambassadors in key capitals for a three-day in-house consultation on foreign policy challenges including the current state of relationship with Afghanistan, the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, Kashmir dispute and other matters, local media reported.

The ambassadors stationed in 20 key world capitals and international organisations would attend the conference to be held at the foreign ministry in Islamabad in the first week of January, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar would attend the inaugural session. Relevant officials will join the diplomats for the three-day consultations.

The conference is an annual feature to discuss contemporary foreign challenges and form Pakistan’s policy accordingly.

This is the first time the conference is taking place in person since 2019.

Ambassadors of Pakistan in the US, France, Germany, UK, India, Russia, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey and other countries would attend the conference.

Permanent representatives to the UN and other organisations of the global body will also participate.

Islamabad’s relations with Kabul are tense over security issues.

Pakistan claims attacks on its soil are rooted in Afghanistan, a charge Kabul denies.