Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting de-escalation and regional stability while discussing the situation in the Middle East with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zedong on Thursday.

On Monday, Pakistan took centre stage in a coordinated diplomatic push alongside Turkiye and Egypt for de-escalation, as the trio appeared instrumental in securing a five-day pause of US plans to strike Iranian energy and power infrastructure, officials said, describing the effort as going beyond routine crisis management.

A press release by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said that the Chinese ambassador called on the premier at the PM House today. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and the foreign secretary were also present, it said.

PM Shehbaz appreciated China’s “steadfast economic support” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing CPEC 2.0, “with a focus on agriculture, industrial cooperation, and priority infrastructure projects”, the PMO statement said.

He also congratulated the Chinese leadership on the successful conclusion of the “Two Sessions” in Beijing and thanked President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for their warm Pakistan Day greetings.

“Ambassador Jiang commended Pakistan’s economic resilience and reform efforts, and reaffirmed China’s continued support, particularly in trade and investment,” the statement added. “Both sides expressed satisfaction at ongoing exchanges and looked forward to high-level engagements to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.”

PM Shehbaz emphasised “continued close coordination at all levels on issues of mutual interest” while reaffirming the enduring Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, it added.

The premier had said on Tuesday that Pakistan stood “ready and honoured” to host “meaningful and conclusive talks” between the US and Iran.

On Wednesday, he formally pitched Islamabad as a potential venue for negotiations between Iranian and US officials.

PM Shehbaz briefs Malaysian counterpart on US-Iran mediation efforts

Separately, the PMO said that PM Shehbaz also briefed his Malaysian counterpart, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on Pakistan’s discussions with Iranian and Gulf leaders to bring the US and Iran to the negotiating table.

The premier received a telephone call from Ibrahim this morning, wherein the leaders exchanged Eidul Fitr greetings in a “warm and cordial conversation”, the statement said.

“The prime minister conveyed his deep appreciation to the Malaysian prime minister for his strong message of support for Pakistan’s leadership and endorsement of Pakistan-led mediation efforts to end the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East,” the PMO added.

According to the statement, the Malaysian premier in turn appreciated PM Shehbaz’s “outstanding leadership” and apprised him of his own conversations with various world leaders emphasising the “immediate need to end the Middle East war”. He offered Malaysia’s full support to Pakistan’s peace efforts.

Thanking Ibrahim, PM Shehbaz assured him that Pakistan would “continue its sincere and genuine efforts in de-escalating the prevailing situation in the region”. Both leaders agreed to remain in touch, the PMO added.