The Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that media reports had “distorted” recent remarks made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, stressing that the call was made affectionately.
The clarification comes after Chinese state media Xinhua It was reported that during his call with Dar on Tuesday, Wang expressed his hope that “Pakistan can intensify mediation efforts” between the United States and Iran.
“Some reports indicate that the Chinese side urged us to strengthen mediation efforts, which implies that Pakistan is required to approach the ‘do more’ model,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andarabi said at a weekly press conference. “So news coverage by some local newspapers conveyed the same impression.”
He added: “I would like to record that such reports somewhat distort the letter and spirit of the call,” stressing that the call was made with “traditional warmth and affection.”
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Andrabi said Foreign Minister Wang appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive mediation role and expressed full support for its efforts,” echoing what Reuters reported. Xinhua also.
“Wang reiterated China’s principled position and praised Pakistan for facilitating the US-Iran talks and helping to extend the temporary ceasefire. He expressed his hope that Pakistan would maintain confidence and contribute to the early restoration of regional peace, which is also the common aspiration of the international community,” the report said.
Wang was quoted as saying that China will continue to support Pakistani mediation efforts and make its contribution to this end.
In its statement on the call, the Foreign Ministry also said that Wang reiterated Beijing’s appreciation and support for Pakistan’s role as mediator.
She added that the senior diplomats “stressed the importance of maintaining a permanent ceasefire and ensuring normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”
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Despite signs that negotiations between the United States and Iran have stalled after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest response to the proposed settlement framework, Pakistan has remained engaged in mediation efforts.
A series of diplomatic contacts held earlier this week indicated that regional and international actors were still trying to prevent the situation from sliding back into open hostilities.
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Even as military pressures and fears of renewed confrontation continued to shape the crisis, Pakistani diplomatic engagement continued despite the more complex scenario.
On Monday, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker met with Dar to discuss developments in the regional situation. On the same day, Dar spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud via phone call, with the foreign minister saying that the latter “confirmed his support for Islamabad’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability.”
Also on Monday, UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Middle East Conflict Jean Arnault met Dar, who briefed him on the latest developments and Pakistan’s ongoing engagement with stakeholders.
