Pakistan and China have jointly introduced a five-point peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The proposal was announced on Tuesday following a meeting in Beijing between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, the visit focused on strengthening coordination between the two countries over the Iran crisis and exploring new avenues for peace. Despite being Iran’s largest oil buyer, China has maintained a cautious position, consistently calling for a ceasefire and emphasizing the need to ensure the safe passage of oil shipments through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Following the discussions, both countries called for an immediate ceasefire and stressed the importance of maintaining security in key maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. They reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only effective means of resolving the conflict. However, there has been little tangible progress in bringing the main parties to the negotiating table.
U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that talks are progressing “very well,” although Tehran continues to deny that any direct negotiations are taking place with Washington.
Analysts believe that Islamabad, long overlooked by Washington, is now attempting to reassert itself as an important regional diplomatic player. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir are reportedly maintaining direct contact with both Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Political analyst Rafiullah Kakar noted that Pakistan aims to position itself as a leading voice in the Muslim world while also reinforcing its geopolitical importance to Washington and Gulf states.
Pakistan’s peace efforts are also driven by internal concerns. The country shares a 900-kilometer border with Iran, and prolonged conflict could destabilize its already volatile Balochistan region. Additionally, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have caused significant economic losses for Pakistan.
Another major concern is rising sectarian tension. Pakistan is home to one of the largest Shia populations outside Iran, and recent strikes in Tehran have already sparked protests and casualties within the country. Furthermore, Pakistan’s recent defense agreement with Saudi Arabia increases the risk of it being drawn into the conflict, even if unintentionally.
Kakar warned that any serious instability in Iran would directly affect Pakistan’s national security, potentially placing the country in a highly challenging and volatile situation if the conflict continues to escalate.
