Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his official visit to China, stressed the need for Pakistan and China to work closely together to support peace efforts in the Middle East amid the ongoing tensions linked to the US-Israel conflict and the Gulf crisis.

Speaking during delegation-level talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the prime minister said the world was passing through a highly critical period and warned that the regional conflict was affecting both local and global economies.PM Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic role in mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.

He said Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir had recently visited Tehran and played an important role in contacts between Iranian and American leadership.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was also mentioned for maintaining communication with regional counterparts as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement.

The premier appreciated China’s support for peace and ceasefire efforts and said Pakistan fully backed President Xi Jinping’s four-point peace agenda.He added that Islamabad and Beijing should continue standing together to promote regional stability and international peace.During the meeting, PM Shehbaz also expressed condolences over the deadly coal mine gas explosion in Shanxi province that killed dozens of people.

He described Pakistan-China relations as a historic friendship built by the founding leaders of both countries and noted that the two nations were celebrating 75 years of diplomatic ties.The prime minister is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders during his four-day visit.Several Pakistani ministers and senior officials are accompanying him to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.