PM Shehbaz credits China's peace role as Pakistan pushes US-Iran ceasefire forward

BEIJING: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday praised the Chinese leadership for its support in promoting regional peace and facilitating the US-Iran ceasefire, saying significant progress had already been achieved and the situation was moving in the right direction towards lasting stability.

“We hope and pray to Allah Almighty that peace will be restored. A lot of ground has already been covered. Things are moving in the right direction,” the prime minister said during his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People during his five-day official visit to China.

Prime Minister Shehbaz, who was accorded a guard of honour earlier, thanked President Xi Jinping and the Chinese leadership for their “great support” to Pakistan’s efforts aimed at promoting peace and securing a ceasefire in the region.

He assured the Chinese leadership of Pakistan’s full endorsement of President Xi Jinping’s four-point peace agenda and also referred to the five-point support programme announced following Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The prime minister said the world was passing through a “very critical moment” amid tensions in the Gulf region and highlighted Pakistan’s active diplomatic role in mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.

Referring to the role of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, who was also present during the meeting, PM Shehbaz said the military chief had played an important diplomatic role through continuous engagement with Iranian and American leaderships.

He added that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had also remained in close contact with his counterparts in Iran and Gulf countries as part of Pakistan’s peace efforts.

“I think we have to really be together so that the world at large is at peace and business as usual starts again,” the prime minister remarked, warning that the ongoing crisis had adversely impacted not only regional economies but also the wider global economy.

He pointed out that Pakistan, being a net importer of oil and petroleum products, had also suffered economic repercussions due to the conflict.

Expressing gratitude to Premier Li Qiang for the invitation, PM Shehbaz said it was always a pleasure to visit China, where rapid development and transformation were visible with every visit.

The prime minister also expressed deep condolences over the tragic gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s Shanxi province, which caused multiple casualties and injuries, and conveyed solidarity with the affected families.

Highlighting the enduring Pakistan-China relationship, PM Shehbaz said both countries were celebrating 75 years of “glorious friendship and diplomatic relations” founded on a strong vision laid down by the founding leadership of the two nations.

“We are committed to taking this historic legacy forward and further strengthening our partnership,” he said.

In his remarks, Chinese Premier Li Qiang praised Pakistan for maintaining close communication and coordination with China and for contributing positively to regional peace and stability.

He said President Xi Jinping would provide strategic guidance during his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz later in the day for further deepening bilateral ties.