Pakistan and China have jointly urged the United States and Iran to immediately cease hostilities and resume diplomatic talks, warning that the recent escalation risks undermining efforts to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East.
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The appeal came during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) meeting in Shanghai.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, both leaders expressed concern over the deteriorating regional security situation and called on all parties to end military action, overcome obstacles and restart negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive peace agreement.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the first-phase memorandum of understanding reached between the United States and Iran as a hard-earned achievement resulting from bilateral negotiations and international diplomatic efforts. He also praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue, calling its mediation efforts indispensable.
“Peace is within reach; we cannot afford to lose it now,” Wang said, urging all sides to honour the commitments made under the agreement and work towards de-escalation.
During the meeting, Ishaq Dar briefed his Chinese counterpart on Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and thanked Beijing for its continued support. He reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.
Separately, the two ministers reviewed the broader Pakistan-China strategic partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation under CPEC 2.0. They agreed to strengthen collaboration in trade, investment, science and technology, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments and pledged to maintain close coordination on issues of mutual interest through bilateral and multilateral platforms.
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Dar’s visit to Shanghai also marked Pakistan’s formal accession to the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation after signing the founding agreement. He described the visit as productive and highlighted discussions on key CPEC projects, including the Siah Diq mining project and the Karakoram Highway Realignment Project, alongside expanding cooperation in emerging technologies.