The Foreign Office on Thursday said certain mediareports“misrepresented” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent remarks to Deputy Prime Minister. FM Ishaq Dar, affirming the call was held with cordiality.
The clarification comes after Chinese state mediaXinhuareportedthat during his call with Dar on Tuesday, Wang expressed hope that “Pakistan can step upmediation efforts” between the United States. Iran.
Addressing a weekly press briefing. FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said: “Some reports suggested that the Chinese side urged us to enhance the mediation efforts, implying as if Pakistan was being asked to sort in a ‘do more’ paradigm. So news coverage by some of local newspapers conveyed the same impression.
“I wish to place on record that such reports somewhat misrepresent the call in both letter. spirit,” he added, asserting that the call was held with “traditional warmth and cordiality”.
Andrabi said FM Wang appreciated “Pakistan’s constructive mediation role. expressed full support for its efforts”, echoing what was reported byXinhuaas well.
“Wang reiterated China’s principled position and commended Pakistan for facilitating US-Iran talks and helping extend the temporary ceasefire. He expressed hope that Pakistan will maintain confidence. contribute to restoring regional peace at an early date, which is also the common aspiration of the international community,” the report read.
China will continue to support Pakistan’s mediation efforts. make its own contribution toward this end, Wang was quoted as saying.
In itsstatementon the call, the FO had also said Wang reiterated Beijing’s appreciation. support for Pakistan’s role as a mediator.
It added that both top diplomats “underscored the importance of continuing a durable ceasefire. ensuring normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz”.
Despite signs that negotiations between the US. Iran have stalled after President Donald TrumprejectedTehran’s latest response to a proposed settlement framework, Pakistan has remained engaged in mediation efforts.
A series ofdiplomatic contactsmade earlier this week suggested that regional. international actors are still attempting to prevent the situation from sliding back toward open hostilities.
Even as military pressure. fears of renewed confrontation continued to shape the crisis, Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement has persisted despite a far more complicated scenario.
On Monday, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker met with Dar to discuss the evolving regional situation. The same day, Dar spoke with Saudi FM Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on a call, with FO saying that the latter “reiterated support for Islamabad’s efforts aimed at promoting regional peace. stability”.
Also on Monday, United Nations Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for the Middle East Conflict Jean Arnault also met Dar, who briefed him on recent developments. Pakistan’s continuing engagement with the parties concerned.
Discussion
Sign in to join the thread, react, and share images.