Pakistan played ‘very sincere role’ in US-Iran mediation efforts: PM Shehbaz in Beijing

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that Pakistan had played a “very sincere role” in efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, while holding high-level talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing focused on regional stability, bilateral cooperation and deepening strategic ties.

During the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding shared interests and promoting peace amid rising tensions in the Gulf.

Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived in China on Saturday on a four-day official visit, arriving in Beijing after a stopover in Hangzhou.

Referring to the current regional crisis, the prime minister said the world was going through “a very critical time” and emphasized the need for collective efforts to restore stability. “We have to really be together so that the world at large is at peace,” he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz noted that Pakistan had continued to actively participate in diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between the United States and Iran. He said Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had just returned from Tehran after consultations with Iranian officials and traveled overnight to attend engagements in Beijing.

The prime minister added that Deputy Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister Ishaq Dar had also been in touch with relevant regional stakeholders to support peace efforts. “We pray to Almighty Allah that peace be restored. A lot of ground has been covered and things are going in the right direction,” he said.

He warned that the crisis had impacted both regional and global economies, particularly oil-importing countries like Pakistan. “Pakistan, being a net importer of oil and petroleum products, has also felt the economic impact,” he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also thanked the Chinese leadership for supporting the peace and ceasefire efforts and acknowledged Beijing’s support for President Xi Jinping’s four-point agenda and five-point support program following consultations between the foreign ministers of the two countries.

Calling the visit “always a great pleasure,” the prime minister thanked the Chinese leaders for their warm hospitality.

“Dear brother and friend, thank you very much for the warm invitation to visit China,” he said. “Every time we come, we see new important changes and developments.”

At the beginning of his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz also expressed condolences over Friday’s gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s Shanxi province, which killed 82 people.

“I express my deepest condolences for the tragic gas explosion in a coal mine,” he said, while conveying solidarity with the affected families.

Referring to bilateral relations, the prime minister said Pakistan and China were celebrating “75 years of our glorious friendship and diplomatic relations”, adding that the relationship established by the founding leaders of both countries had laid “a solid foundation” that continued to strengthen.

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Earlier, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said both countries had “maintained close communication and coordination, safeguarded common interests and injected positive energy into regional peace.”

He added that China was willing to work with Pakistan to achieve “greater solidarity, traditional friendship, firmly support each other and continue to expand practical cooperation to achieve more results in building a community of shared future for the two countries.”

Upon his arrival at the Great Hall of the People, Prime Minister Shehbaz received a guard of honour. The national anthems of Pakistan and China were played as both leaders stood on the greeting dais and introduced their delegations.

Field Marshal Asim Munir was also present at the event, after concluding his visit to Iran.

The two sides are expected to witness the exchange of memorandums of understanding and agreements during the visit. Prime Minister Shehbaz is also scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping today and attend events commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.