Ambassador of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong on Tuesday lauded the proactive and positive role being played by Pakistan at every diplomatic forum, including at the United Nations Security Council, for a peaceful settlement of the regional security situation through dialogue and diplomacy.
The Chinese envoy called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at PM House in Islamabad, and discussed regional security situation, particularly recent developments in the Iran-Israel conflict, other bilateral issues.
The prime minister conveyed his warm regards and good wishes for President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
Shehbaz Sharif extended his sincere best wishes for the successful holding of the upcoming SCO Summit. He acknowledged the ongoing consultations between the two sides concerning his visit to China to attend the Summit.
Recalling the historic, deep-rooted and iron-clad “All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between Pakistan and China, the prime minister said that Pakistan was fully committed to continue working closely with China for the successful implementation of ongoing China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
In this regard, he highlighted key projects including ML-I, realignment of KKH, operationalization of Gwadar Port, as well as cooperation in agriculture, industrial and IT sectors.
The prime minister expressed Pakistan’s deep appreciation for China’s consistent financial and economic support that had helped to stabilize Pakistan’s economy and resulted in the improvement of the macro-economic outlook of the country. This, he added, was vital to the government’s socio-economic development agenda.
Ambassador Jiang Zaidong briefed the prime minister on various aspects of Pakistan-China bilateral cooperation and said that preparations had already begun to ensure the success of the prime minister’s upcoming visit to China in the end of August 2025.
PM holds meetings with Saudi, Qatari envoys
The ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and discussed the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, particularly after the Iranian attack on the US military base in Qatar.
“Met the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today and discussed the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East… Pakistan will continue to work closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy,” the prime minister wrote on his X timeline after meeting with Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al Malkiy.
The prime minister conveyed his prayers and good wishes for Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, as well as Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.
In the meeting with Ambassador of Qatar Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater, the prime minister expressed solidarity with the Amir and the people of Qatar following Monday night’s attacks on US military base.
“We pray for the safety and security of our Qatari brothers and sisters, and the entire region,” he remarked.
The prime minister said that Pakistan had always advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the only path to lasting peace in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also held a telephonic interaction with both the envoys on Monday night and expressed his serious concern over the reports of missile attacks on a US military base in Qatar.
He had urged that all efforts must be made to de-escalate tensions and restore peace in the region.
The Qatari ambassador thanked the prime minister for immediately reaching out to him after this “most unfortunate development” as well as for the expression of solidarity at that critical time.
During the telephonic call with Saudi ambassador, the prime minister reiterated his call for de-escalation and restoration of peace in the region.
The Saudi envoy also thanked the prime minister and agreed that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan must continue to work together and coordinate closely to ensure an early peaceful settlement of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Reporter Awais Kiyani