China lauds Pakistan's contribution to US-Iran de-escalation

FO team will remain engaged with parties for technical-level talks for the remainder of the week in Switzerland: Dar

China on Monday commended Pakistan's successful contribution to the de-escalation and implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which helped end the conflict between the United States and Iran, and reaffirmed its steadfast support for Pakistan's mediation role in promoting durable peace and stability in the region.

The first round of four-party talks involving Iran and the US, with mediation by Qatar and Pakistan, concluded in Switzerland, marking the first formal follow-up engagement since the signing of the agreement earlier this week.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the commendation came during Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong in Islamabad.

"DPM/FM shared the developments related to the High-Level Talks on the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) held in Bürgenstock, Switzerland," the statement said.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 received today the Ambassador of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.

DPM/FM shared the developments related to the High-Level Talks on the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding… pic.twitter.com/g0BYPnS6HX

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 22, 2026

Dar also recalled his recent visit to Cairo, where he participated in the R-4 Regional Foreign Ministers' Meeting alongside the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to advance collective efforts aimed at facilitating dialogue and the peaceful resolution of issues.

"DPM lauded China's vital contributions towards the peace process, especially President Xi Jinping's Four-Point Proposal and China-Pakistan Five-Point Initiative," the statement said, adding that he also appreciated China's steadfast support for Pakistan's peace efforts.

The ambassador conveyed China's commendation of Pakistan's successful contribution to de-escalation and reaffirmed China's steadfast support for Pakistan's mediation role in promoting durable peace and stability in the region.

"The two sides stressed the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement and peaceful settlement of all outstanding issues underpinned by dialogue and negotiations," the statement added.

The deputy prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to continued consultations and coordination with China to advance the shared goals of peace, stability and common development, as well as to further deepen the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

Earlier on Monday, the deputy prime minister welcomed what he described as “substantial progress” achieved during high-level talks in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, and said Pakistan would remain engaged in efforts aimed at securing lasting peace and stability.

In a post on X, Dar said he warmly welcomes "the substantial progress achieved at the High-Level Technical Talks held in Burgenstock, Switzerland,” describing the development as an important milestone in the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

I warmly welcome the substantial progress achieved at the High-Level Technical Talks held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, and congratulate Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif @CMShehbaz as well as COAS & CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their visionary leadership and tireless…

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 22, 2026

He congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for their “visionary leadership and tireless efforts in achieving this milestone”.

“I would also like to express my deep appreciation for the constructive spirit shown by the United States of America as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the implementation of Islamabad MoU,” he said, adding that he commended their “continued commitment to dialogue and diplomacy”. The foreign minister reserved special thanks for Qatar for "its important role in the mediation process along with Pakistan.”

Dar said Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement would continue in the coming days, noting that “a team from our Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to remain engaged with the parties for technical-level talks for the remainder of the week at Burgenstock, Switzerland”.

Read: 'Encouraging progress' as US, Iran agree on roadmap for a final peace deal within 60 days

Reaffirming Islamabad’s broader diplomatic objectives, he said, “Pakistan has been and will continue to play its role for achieving the goal of lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond.”

According to a joint statement by Pakistan and Qatar, the parties had agreed on a roadmap to reach a final agreement within 60 days. A communication channel would be established during the negotiations to prevent incidents and miscommunication, including measures aimed at ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

It also announced the creation of a Pakistan- and Qatar-facilitated “de-confliction cell” involving Lebanon to oversee compliance with commitments related to the cessation of military operations in the country.

Alhamdulillah, the First High-Level Committee Meeting under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has concluded successfully in Bürgenstock, Switzerland.

The discussions were held in a positive and constructive atmosphere and yielded encouraging progress,… pic.twitter.com/uvA0SBKfvf

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 22, 2026

In an earlier statement today, PM Shehbaz also welcomed the "significant progress" achieved in talks between the US and Iran, saying a high-level meeting had produced an agreement on a roadmap towards a final deal within the next 60 days.

On June 18, PM Shehbaz signed the 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding' as a mediator, formalising the major diplomatic breakthrough between the US and Iran. Israel, left out of the peace talks, has distanced itself from the US-Iran accord and kept up fighting against the Iranian-allied Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, also raising questions about whether ​the agreement would hold.

The US and Israel launched the war on Iran ⁠on February 28, assassinating former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and military leaders on the first day.

It quickly spiralled into a regional conflict that has killed more than 7,000 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon; driven up energy prices; renewed inflationary pressures and sparked concerns about a ​major food supply crisis in developing countries.