ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to Beijing on an official visit from May 19 to 22, the Foreign Office said in a statement on Sunday.
During his trip, Dar is scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two will hold detailed discussions on the changing situation in South Asia, particularly in light of recent tensions between Pakistan and India. Talks will also cover the broader impact on regional peace and security.
This visit follows last week’s ceasefire between India and Pakistan after a period of heightened military activity, triggered by the Pahalgam incident in Indian-occupied Kashmir. India accused Pakistan of involvement without providing evidence.
In response to Indian air strikes in Punjab and Azad Kashmir on May 6 to 7, which killed several civilians, Pakistan retaliated by shooting down five Indian fighter jets. After further escalation involving drones and strikes on military bases, a ceasefire was brokered on May 10 with the help of the United States.
Despite the ceasefire, India has continued its tough stance, while Pakistan has urged calm and expressed readiness for dialogue. Earlier, on May 5, China had publicly backed Pakistan during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and senior Chinese officials.
According to the Foreign Office, the upcoming meeting between Dar and Wang Yi will also include a review of the entire range of Pakistan-China relations, as well as discussions on regional and global issues that are of mutual concern.
The visit is part of ongoing high-level contacts between the two long-standing allies. Pakistan and China share close ties, with Beijing playing a key role in development projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is seen as a crucial driver for Pakistan’s economy.
In March, China gave Pakistan a major financial breather by extending the repayment of a $2 billion loan for another year, an important move that helped stabilise foreign exchange reserves.
