Chinese, Iranian envoys discuss regional situation with army chief
RAWALPINDI: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing and Iranian Ambassador Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini separately called on Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi to discuss regional situation.
According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), regional security situation including US-Iran standoff was discussed during the meetings.
In a thread of tweets, ISPR Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor said that General Bajwa also received a telephone call from US Secretary of Defense Dr Mark T Esper. Both discussed ongoing security situation in the Middle East.
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The army chief said Pakistan wanted to de-escalate prevailing tense situation in the Middle East, and shall support all initiatives which bring peace to the region.
He called upon all concerned to avoid rhetoric in favour of diplomatic engagement. “We all have worked a lot to bring peace in the region by fighting against terrorism,” he said.
General Bajwa said Pakistan would continue to play constructive part towards success of Afghan reconciliation process so that it didn’t get derailed and region went towards conflict resolution instead of new conflicts.
The secretary expressed that the US did not want to seek conflict, but would respond forcefully if necessary.
Talking to Oman’s Minister for Endowment and Religious Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Abdullah Assalami in Islamabad, Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for immediate measures for de-escalation in the Middle East and Gulf region.
He expressed deep concern over the evolving situation in the region.
The prime minister underlined the imperative of avoiding any further escalation.
Stressing that war is in nobody’s interest, he recalled that Pakistan has suffered greatly due to earlier regional conflicts. He made it clear that Pakistan would not be part of any conflict in the region.
The PM also recalled his earlier efforts for facilitation of contacts between the United States and Iran as well as Iran and Saudi Arabia for peaceful resolution of differences and disputes.
