CHINA REITERATES PAKISTAN’S MEDIATORY ROLE IN US-IRAN DIALOGUE In partnership with
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Wednesday, 13 May, 2026 | 25 Dhul-Qadah, 1447
g FM YI DISCUSSES REGIONAL DIPLOMACY
WITH DAR, LAUDS PAKISTAN’S CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN EASING US-IRAN TENSIONS
g BEIJING, ISLAMABAD STRESS
g STRAIT OF HORMUZ STABILITY, PEACE EFFORTS
C
g TALKS HIGHLIGHT CONTINUED
NEED FOR DURABLE CEASEFIRE AND REGIONAL STABILITY
DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT ON IRAN-US CHANNEL
g AUSTRIA ALSO LAUDS PAKISTAN’S MEDIATION
REMAIN KEY FOCUS OF DISCUSSION
EFFORTS IN REGIONAL DIPLOMACY
ISLAMABAD
saleem jadoon
HINESE Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday reiterated appreciation and support for Pakistan’s “constructive mediatory role” in the ongoing United States-Iran tensions during a telephonic conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, according to the Foreign Office (FO). In a statement posted on X, the Foreign Office said the two foreign ministers held an in-depth exchange of views on recent regional developments and Pakistan’s continued efforts to facilitate engagement between the United States and Iran aimed at promoting sustainable peace and stability in the wider region. The statement added that both sides underscored the importance of maintaining a durable ceasefire and ensuring uninterrupted and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, given its critical importance for global energy and trade flows. During the conversation, Wang Yi reiterated China’s appreciation and support for Pakistan’s con-
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Pakistan keeps up diplomacy as US-Iran talks stall, ceasefire comes under strain
Pakistan rejects 'misleading report' on Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase
staff report
asad nizami
ISLAMABAD
structive mediation role, acknowledging Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement in reducing tensions and encouraging dialogue between the concerned parties. Both sides also reviewed broader bilateral cooperation and agreed to maintain close coordination on regional and international matters of mutual interest. They discussed planned highlevel exchanges and activities marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, alongside continued cooperation at
Pakistan eyes Russian oil amid Hormuz crisis: Amb Tirmizi
bilateral and multilateral forums. The Foreign Office said both countries agreed to remain in close contact on evolving developments. The conversation comes amid continuing diplomatic efforts linked to the US-Iran crisis. According to available details, the United States and Iran had agreed to halt their nearly 40-day conflict following a Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire on April 8, which was followed by important talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12 involving senior delegations from both sides.
Pakistan remained engaged in diplomatic efforts over the US-Iran crisis on Monday as signs mounted that negotiations between Washington and Tehran had stalled after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest response to a proposed settlement framework. Diplomatic contacts across the region continued even as military pressure and concerns about renewed confrontation shaped the situation. The latest exchanges suggested that regional and international actors were still trying to prevent the crisis from slipping back into open hostilities. Trump described Iran’s response as totally unacceptable, underlining the distance that remains between the two sides not only over a possible agreement but also over the broader political basis of the negotiations. On Monday morning, he said the ceasefire was on massive life support.
Pakistan on Tuesday strongly rejected a report by US-based media outlet CBS News alleging the presence of Iranian military aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase, calling the claims “misleading and sensationalised” and warning that such narratives could undermine efforts aimed at regional peace and stability. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) clarified that several aircraft from Iran and the United States had arrived in Pakistan following the ceasefire and during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams and administrative staff linked to the dialogue process. “Some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement,” the ministry stated.
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Pakistan, Azerbaijan vow to expand strategic cooperation PM vows stronger LEAs, modern tools to boost national security
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, said on Tuesday that Islamabad planned to increase oil imports from Russia amid the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that Pakistan was actively seeking alternative energy sources. In an interview with Russian news agency TASS, the envoy said Pakistan imported nearly 90 per cent of its energy needs, largely from Gulf countries, making the Strait of Hormuz crisis a major concern for the country. “We produce about 10% of the energy resources we need ourselves, while the rest is imported, mainly from the Persian Gulf countries. A serious crisis has arisen, and that is why we began to look for alternatives,” Tirmizi said. He noted that demand for Russian energy resources had surged due to the uncertainty surrounding the strategic waterway and said Pakistan was also considering longterm regional connectivity projects involving pipelines from Central Asia and Russia to South Asia. “We are now also considering building a pipeline from Central Asia and Russia at some point. This could mean connecting the Eurasian space through roads, railways, pipelines, humanitarian contacts and academic ties,” he added.
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ISLAMABAD
staff report
ISLAMABAD mian abrar
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, energy and people-to-people exchanges during a telephone conversation. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan and reiterated
the deep fraternal bonds shared by the two countries. During the warm and cordial conversation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his best wishes to President Aliyev for the successful hosting of the upcoming World Urban Forum scheduled to be held in Baku next week. The prime minister expressed confidence that the forum, under Azerbaijan’s leadership, would serve as an important platform for advancing the global urban development agenda. He regretted that pressing commitments would prevent him from attending the event personally
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that all available resources would be mobilized to enhance the operational capacity of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to ensure the protection of citizens’ lives and property across the country. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation and matters related to the Ministry of Interior, the prime minister directed strict enforcement of the government’s zerotolerance policy against corruption
but assured that Pakistan would be strongly represented. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional developments, particularly ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East. President Aliyev appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in facilitating a ceasefire between Iran and the United States, describing it as a reflection of the
within law enforcement institutions. He emphasized that recruitment across all departments under the Interior Ministry, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), must be carried out strictly on merit, without any exception or compromise. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Mohsin Naqvi, Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, as well as heads of various law enforcement agencies, according to a press release issued by the PM Office Media Wing.
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international community’s trust and confidence in Pakistan and its leadership. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and expressed their desire to meet in person later this year. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also renewed his invitation to President Aliyev to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at the earliest opportunity.