Chinese vice FM meets foreign secretary

ISLAMABAD: China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, currently in Pakistan for a pre-planned visit concerning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the International Cooperation and Coordination joint working group, paid a visit to Foreign Secretary Dr. Muhammad Syrus Qazi at the Foreign Office.

In response to an inquiry, Foreign Office spokesperson Zehra Mumtaz Baloch clarified that Sun Weidong’s visit is not connected to the Pakistan-Iran situation. She emphasised that his visit was solely related to activities associated with the CPEC. “Kindly don’t link the visit with any other subject,” she said.

Sun Weidong, the former Chinese ambassador to Pakistan and India, engaged in bilateral discussions with Foreign Secretary Dr. Muhammad Syrus Qazi upon his arrival in Islamabad on Friday. He is scheduled to participate in the fourth meeting of the CPEC-Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination on Saturday, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Dr. Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi.

The Chinese vice foreign minister will also hold meetings with senior leadership before returning home.

Meanwhile, significant developments are expected between Pakistan and Iran next week, including a decision regarding the restoration of diplomatic ties and other engagements suspended in the wake of Iranian aggression last Wednesday. The diplomatic and international fronts between the two countries remained quiet on Friday after three days of frantic activities. Pakistan is closely monitoring the overall situation related to the ties between the two nations.

Highly-placed sources revealed that Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, who was recalled following the Iranian action and recently returned from Tehran, has been actively participating in high-level consultations at the Foreign Office. Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jailani held consultations related to unfolding events. Ambassador Tipu also had a meeting with the foreign minister. The sources indicated that crucial decisions and proposals will be discussed in high-level consultations early next week, and the possibility of an announcement on Tuesday cannot be ruled out.

Diplomatic contacts between Islamabad and Tehran are active, and normal communication has been restored, according to the sources.