Pakistan Intensifies Diplomacy Amid Middle East Tensions, PM to Visit China from May 23

ISLAMABAD (Rizwan Abbasi): Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic engagements amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif scheduled to undertake an official visit to China from May 23 to 26, the Foreign Office said during its weekly media briefing on Thursday.

Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan remains actively engaged in regional diplomacy aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. In this regard, several contacts were made with regional and international leaders during the week.

According to the spokesperson, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister held telephonic conversations with the foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, and Uzbekistan, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid two important visits to Iran and met the Iranian leadership to discuss regional developments and bilateral cooperation.

The spokesperson further revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held a telephone conversation with the Emir of Qatar, during which both leaders discussed the evolving Middle East situation and ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Condemning recent drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the Foreign Office urged all parties to avoid actions that could further inflame tensions in the region.

The spokesperson stressed that nuclear installations must never be targeted under any circumstances and called upon the international community to play an immediate role in preventing further escalation.

Highlighting Pakistan-China relations, the spokesperson said diplomatic ties between the two countries have completed 75 years, adding that China has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times. He noted that Islamabad and Beijing share a common position regarding the Gulf crisis.

The Foreign Office also expressed grave concern over the human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The spokesperson termed the continued “unaccounted killings” of Kashmiris unacceptable and said the demolition of homes in occupied Kashmir was part of an illegal attempt to alter the region’s demographic structure.

Pakistan once again demanded the immediate release of Kashmiri political leaders, social activists, and human rights defenders detained in the territory.

Rejecting Indian allegations against Pakistan, the spokesperson said New Delhi routinely levels baseless accusations to divert global attention from its human rights violations in Kashmir. He added that the arrest of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav remains clear evidence of Indian interference in Pakistan.

In a sarcastic remark, the spokesperson dismissed Indian claims regarding the discovery of a “Pakistani fan” in India, calling them as outdated and baseless as the “pigeon story.”

On Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, the spokesperson said tensions persist primarily due to terrorist attacks launched from Afghan soil into Pakistan. He emphasized that under the Doha Agreement and international law, Afghanistan is responsible for ensuring that its territory is not used for terrorism against Pakistan.

The spokesperson also confirmed that Pakistan is facilitating the Iran-US peace process and that the Pakistani leadership remains in constant contact with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He rejected any impression that the Deputy Prime Minister was being sidelined from diplomatic efforts.

Regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, the spokesperson adopted a firm stance, stating that there is no provision allowing unilateral withdrawal from the agreement. “Pakistan will not compromise even on a single drop of its water and will pursue all available legal avenues,” he asserted.

Responding to reports regarding the deportation of Pakistanis from the United Arab Emirates, the spokesperson termed the allegations baseless, clarifying that the return of around 3,000 Pakistanis occurred under separate legal and administrative contexts and should not be misrepresented.