Islamabad, March 10 Pakistan and China called on Tuesday for de-escalation in West Asia and emphasized the need to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter to address differences.
On February 28, the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei and several top commanders. Iran's retaliation escalated the war to the entire Gulf region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and broader global developments, according to a statement by the Foreign Office.
Dar shared Pakistan's perspective and underscored the urgent need to ease tensions in the Middle East and the wider region, while Wang appreciated Pakistan's constructive efforts aimed at promoting de-escalation and stability in the region, it said.
"The two leaders stressed the importance of de-escalation and emphasized the need to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter," the statement said.
It said that both sides also reaffirmed the enduring strength of the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, reiterated their shared commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation, and agreed to remain in close contact.
Separately, Pakistan condemned Israel's continued military aggression against Lebanon, resulting in the death of hundreds of civilians and the displacement of nearly half a million people.
In a separate statement, the Foreign Office said that the Israeli actions, which are in contravention of international law, are undermining the efforts of the government of Lebanon to ensure peace and stability in the country and have the potential to further exacerbate the ongoing security and humanitarian crises in the region.
"We urge the international community to take urgent action to end the Israeli military aggression, the indiscriminate targeting of civilians, and the continued violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said.
Pakistan also called for Israel’s withdrawal from all “occupied Lebanese territories immediately, fully, and unconditionally”.