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ISLAMABAD/BEIJING: Pakistan and China have jointly appealed to the United States, Israel, and Iran to immediately stop fighting and start peace talks to resolve the ongoing war in the Middle East.
This strong appeal comes after the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, held a meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, in Beijing on Tuesday.
Call for Immediate Cessation of Hostilities
During the meeting, the two sides urged all parties to cease hostilities without delay. They called for urgent efforts to prevent the war from spreading further and asked for full humanitarian assistance to reach all affected areas.
Pakistan and China also emphasised the need to protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of Iran and the Gulf states.
Focus on Strait of Hormuz Security
The two neighbours described the strait as an important international shipping route for oil, gas, and trade vessels. The two countries called for the restoration of normal shipping through the strait as soon as possible.
Pakistan’s Active Mediation Role
Pakistan has also stepped up its diplomacy in recent weeks. Last week, Pakistan hosted a quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt on the conflict and how to end it. The meeting was held in Islamabad and resulted in a statement by the foreign ministers calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
The statement issued by Pakistan and China also called for “true multilateralism” and stronger support for the United Nations to achieve peace in the region.
Overall, the coordinated diplomacy by Pakistan and China reflects the growing concern of the international community about the conflict and its implications for global stability and the world economy.
