ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s growing influence in Middle East diplomacy, highlighting the country’s constructive role in promoting regional stability during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zedong. The discussion, held at the PM House, comes on the heels of a major diplomatic breakthrough where Pakistan, alongside Turkiye and Egypt, successfully advocated for a five-day pause in planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, signaling Islamabad’s shift toward active conflict mediation.
In meeting with Chinese envoy, PM highlights Pakistan’s de-escalation role amid Mideast tensions
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Key Highlights
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Diplomatic Leadership: PM Shehbaz detailed Pakistan’s role in securing a five-day de-escalation window between the US and Iran.
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CPEC 2.0: Reaffirmation of commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, focusing on agriculture and industrial cooperation.
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75 Years of Ties: Both nations look forward to high-level engagements marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
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Economic Resilience: Ambassador Jiang commended Pakistan’s recent economic reforms and pledged continued investment support.
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Offer of Dialogue: The Prime Minister formally pitched Islamabad as a venue for meaningful talks between Washington and Tehran.
A New Chapter in Regional Mediation
During the meeting—attended by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other top officials—Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized that Pakistan’s recent diplomatic push went beyond “routine crisis management.” By coordinating with Ankara and Cairo, Islamabad helped avert a significant escalation in the Middle East earlier this week.
The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan stands “ready and honored” to host formal negotiations to resolve the ongoing friction between the US and Iran. This proactive stance reflects a broader strategy to position Pakistan as a reliable bridge-builder in a volatile regional landscape, a move observers note is being closely watched by Beijing.
Reaffirming the All-Weather Partnership
PM Shehbaz expressed deep gratitude for China’s “steadfast economic support” and congratulated the Chinese leadership on the successful conclusion of the “Two Sessions” in Beijing. He thanked President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang for their warm Pakistan Day greetings, noting that the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” remains the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
“Continuous coordination at all levels on issues of mutual interest is vital for our shared goals,” the Prime Minister stated, according to the PMO. The two sides expressed satisfaction with current exchanges and signaled that the upcoming 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties would be marked by significant high-level visits.
Focus on Economic Cooperation and Reform
Ambassador Jiang Zedong lauded Pakistan’s “economic resilience” and the reform agenda currently being implemented by the government. He reaffirmed that China would continue to prioritize trade and investment in Pakistan, particularly under the umbrella of CPEC 2.0.
The second phase of the multi-billion-dollar project is set to prioritize agriculture and industrial cooperation—sectors the Prime Minister identified as critical for Pakistan’s long-term growth. Meanwhile, the foreign secretary and senior advisors underscored that the partnership with China remains insulated from shifting global dynamics.
As Pakistan carves out a more assertive role in Middle Eastern diplomacy, the continued backing from Beijing provides a crucial layer of strategic depth, ensuring that Islamabad’s voice carries weight on the international stage.
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