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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang agreed in Beijing to maintain close coordination and accelerate implementation of agreed projects to take the Pakistan-China partnership into a new, practical, result-oriented and high-quality phase.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held an important meeting with Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, where the two sides reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations in the context of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties.

Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and key federal ministers also attended the high-level meeting.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked his Chinese counterpart for the warm welcome. He said the Pakistan-China strategic cooperative partnership is a central pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy, adding that the iron friendship between the two countries is based on mutual trust, peace and a shared commitment to development.

Both leaders reaffirmed full support for each other on all matters related to core national interests.

Referring to CPEC, the Prime Minister said the project has played a transformative role in Pakistan’s socio-economic development. The two leaders expressed firm commitment to implementing the next phase of CPEC, with special focus on industrialisation, agriculture, science and technology, digital transformation, and socio-economic development.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also highlighted the importance of alignment between China’s Five-Year Plan and “Uraan Pakistan,” saying it aims to accelerate Pakistan’s development priorities.

He appreciated China’s continued support for Pakistan’s national development and economic stability, and reaffirmed that the security of Chinese citizens, institutions and projects in Pakistan would be ensured in all circumstances.

The meeting also placed special emphasis on expanding cooperation in space exploration, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. The Prime Minister said the selection of Pakistani astronauts for China’s space mission is clear evidence of deep cooperation between the two countries in strategic sectors.

Iran and the United States have indicated signs of important progress in their ongoing diplomatic contacts, with officials from both countries saying the negotiation process is moving forward and that a key development is expected in the coming days.

Iranian Foreign Ministry and negotiating delegation spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said contacts are continuing to finalise a possible memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington.

According to media reports, Baghaei said the positions of the two countries have moved closer over the past week, but the next few days will be important for final results.

He said Iran is currently focused on reducing tensions in the region and ending the war, while diplomatic contacts on various issues are continuing.

Baghaei said differences between Iran and the United States still remain, but the negotiation process is moving forward. He made it clear that no major result can be expected in the short term because the two countries have a long history of tensions.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is visiting India, also confirmed progress in the negotiation process.

According to media reports, Rubio told journalists in New Delhi that diplomatic efforts regarding Iran are continuing and work is taking place behind the scenes at different levels.

He said an important development on the matter could emerge today, tomorrow or in the coming days.

Analysts say recent statements by Iran and the United States show that both countries want to keep the diplomatic path open to reduce tensions, while Pakistan, Qatar and other regional countries are also active in mediation efforts.

Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has held important meetings in Tehran with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as part of efforts to end the ongoing war and tensions in the Middle East.

According to Iranian media, the high-level meeting focused on the overall situation in the Middle East, regional peace and the draft of a ceasefire agreement. Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also accompanied the army chief during the meeting.

In addition to his meeting with President Pezeshkian, Field Marshal Asim Munir separately met Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. The two sides stressed the need to make the diplomatic process successful and strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and Iran.

Earlier, the army chief also held a lengthy late-night meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

According to Arab media and Iranian news agencies, an announcement on the historic agreement being prepared through Pakistan’s mediation is expected soon. If successful, the agreement will be named the Islamabad Declaration.

The draft of the nine-point agreement does not include the nuclear programme. Its main focus is an immediate and unconditional ceasefire on all fronts. Under the agreement, both countries will be bound not to target each other’s civilian, military or economic installations.

The draft also includes a complete halt to ongoing military operations and media war, a commitment not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs, and an agreement to ensure freedom of navigation for ships in the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.

After the agreement, both sides will resume talks within seven days, while the United States will gradually lift sanctions imposed on Iran.