Dar heads to Beijing amid mediation push

Pakistan seeks China's role to ease Iran tensions

ISLAMABAD:

Just two days after hosting foreign ministers from Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is heading to Beijing in a move officials say underscores Islamabad's intensifying diplomatic push to defuse the Middle East crisis.

According to a Foreign Office statement issued on Monday, Dar will visit China on March 31 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The statement described Pakistan and China as "all-weather strategic cooperative partners" and said the visit would allow both sides to hold "in-depth discussions on regional developments, as well as bilateral and global issues of mutual interest."

The Foreign Office also highlighted the urgency attached to the trip, noting that Dar is undertaking the visit despite medical advice to rest following a hairline shoulder fracture, reflecting the importance Islamabad places on ties with Beijing.

Diplomatic sources told The Express Tribune that the visit is significant in the context of Pakistan's broader mediation efforts, particularly its attempt to bring China more directly into peace diplomacy.

They said Islamabad wants Beijing to use its leverage over Tehran to help de-escalate tensions and push Iran towards negotiations.

"China has the capacity to nudge Tehran towards the negotiating table," said a source, adding that Beijing could also play a wider role in shaping any eventual agreement between the warring sides.

Beijing has already signalled support for Pakistan's efforts. In a statement, China's Foreign Ministry said it "commends and supports Pakistan's mediation efforts for de-escalation" and stands ready to enhance coordination with Islamabad and other stakeholders to work for a ceasefire and peace

Dar's outreach comes amid reports that Iran-US talks could take place this week in Islamabad.

The FM, speaking on Sunday after the quad meeting, said Pakistan was preparing for an important meeting and that both Iran and the United States had expressed confidence in Islamabad's efforts.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's diplomatic outreach continued on another front as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with António Costa, president of the European Council, one of the three most important leadership posts of the European Union (EU).

In a post on X, the prime minister said both sides exchanged views on the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and agreed that "dialogue and diplomacy must prevail" to restore peace and stability. He briefed Costa on Pakistan's mediation efforts, which the European side welcomed.

The two leaders also discussed strengthening Pakistan-EU ties, including the importance of the GSP Plus scheme and the upcoming Pakistan-EU Business Forum in Islamabad later next month.

The prime minister also conveyed his good wishes to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In his own statement, Costa said the EU was "gravely concerned" over the prolongation of the war and its growing global impact.

He expressed support for Pakistan's peace efforts, stressing that "only dialogue and diplomacy can bring peace and stability back to the Middle East," in line with the UN Charter and international law.

The flurry of diplomatic activity reflects Islamabad's attempt to position itself at the centre of mediation efforts, leveraging ties with key regional and global players to push for a negotiated end to the conflict.