ISLAMABAD/BEIJING: Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, has said that both Iran and the United States have placed trust in Islamabad’s ability to act as a credible facilitator in efforts to ease tensions between the two adversaries.

Speaking on Pakistan TV programme Beyond Borders, Ambassador Hashmi emphasized that Pakistan’s engagement in mediation efforts is rooted in its “long-standing relationships with both sides,” allowing it to function as a trusted intermediary rather than a partisan actor. He noted that recent diplomatic efforts, including discussions hosted in Islamabad, helped reinforce momentum away from escalation and toward ceasefire-oriented outcomes.

Ambassador Hashmi said that while the situation remains sensitive, “a sense of direction away from war and toward dialogue” has been introduced, describing it as a “significant but still evolving progress.” He added that continued diplomatic engagement would be necessary to sustain and deepen these gains.

Turning to China’s diplomatic posture, Ambassador Hashmi described Beijing as a “silent stabilizer” in global affairs, particularly in the Middle East. He said Beijing’s foreign policy approach is grounded in “conciliation, peaceful coexistence, and resolution of disputes through dialogue.”

Ambassador Hashmi pointed to China’s diplomatic facilitation in the 2023 Iran–Saudi rapprochement and efforts to bring Palestinian factions together as examples of what he called China’s “practical contributions to regional stability.”

Addressing the future of Pakistan–China economic ties, the ambassador said Pakistan is actively working to attract Chinese investment across 21 priority sectors, including traditional industries such as agriculture, steel, and petrochemicals, as well as emerging fields like information technology, fintech, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced materials.

“The focus is on joint ventures that combine Chinese investment and technology with Pakistani industrial capacity,” he said, adding that this approach is intended to strengthen productivity and long-term economic resilience.

Commenting on recent high-level diplomatic exchanges, including President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to China, Ambassador Hashmi described the trip as “timely and productive,” noting that it allowed both sides to exchange views on global developments while reinforcing bilateral ties during the 75th anniversary year of diplomatic relations.

During the visit, He said, multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed in areas including agriculture, health, engineering, construction materials, and industrial cooperation.

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