Islamabad :- Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs reviewed Pakistan’s relations with China, evolving regional dynamics and the country’s economic diplomacy during a meeting held at Parliament House.
The meeting was chaired by Senator Agha Shazaib Durrani and attended by Senators Anusha Rehman Ahmed Khan, Rubina Qaim Khani, Atta-ur-Rehman and Danesh Kumar. Senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by the Foreign Secretary, were also present.
The committee received a detailed briefing on Pakistan-China relations in the context of shifting geopolitical realities in the region, particularly developments involving Iran. Opening the discussion, the chairman invited the Foreign Secretary to outline the strategic significance of bilateral ties with Beijing.
Officials informed the committee that Pakistan and China continued to enjoy an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and that strengthening relations with China remained a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. They reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to the One-China policy and its continued support for China on issues relating to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, the South China Sea and human rights at both bilateral and multilateral forums.
The briefing highlighted China’s consistent support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, economic stability and counter-terrorism efforts, including its role in Pakistan’s removal from the FATF grey list. China’s position on the Kashmir dispute was also discussed, with officials noting that it remained an unresolved issue that should be settled peacefully in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.
During the exchange of views, Chairman Agha Shazaib Durrani highlighted what he described as a key and defining aspect of Pakistan’s current foreign policy approach, noting that while routine diplomatic engagements continued, Pakistan’s proactive role in reducing regional tensions deserved special emphasis. Referring to the prevailing escalation involving Iran, border-related developments and rising tensions in the Gulf, he said Pakistan was playing a vital and visible role in bringing down the temperature, facilitating dialogue and contributing to the settlement of disputes through peaceful means.
He emphasized that Pakistan had historically played a credible and balanced role in the region and was once again emerging as a stabilizing force. The chairman noted that regional stability directly translated into peace within Pakistan and created space for expanded economic opportunities. In this context, he observed that Pakistan was well-positioned to act as a bridge between East and West, including between Iran and the United States, and that this bridging role was now being widely acknowledged.
Chairman Durrani paid special tribute to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, appreciating their leadership and vision in advancing economic diplomacy and national development. He noted that during the past year, Pakistan had signed nearly 200 memorandums of understanding with China alone, and that almost one-third of these MoUs were now converting into actual agreements, a development expected to bring foreign investment of approximately two billion dollars into the country.
He stated that this progress reflected the effectiveness of the Prime Minister’s economic policies and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s diplomatic engagement, adding that Pakistan had successfully moved out of diplomatic isolation and was now emerging as a relevant and reliable partner between East and West. The chairman said this growing relevance was increasingly visible across diplomatic, political and economic fronts.
Highlighting Pakistan’s rising profile on the foreign policy and diplomatic front, Chairman Durrani said the country was emerging as an important and credible actor in regional and international affairs. As evidence of this growing strategic relevance, he referred to the upcoming high-level exchanges and visits, including engagements with Central Asian states such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, noting that such interactions underscored Pakistan’s expanding diplomatic footprint.
The chairman also underscored the close political and diplomatic coordination between Pakistan and China during recent regional tensions and emphasized the strategic importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He stressed the need for timely completion and upgradation of ongoing CPEC projects and was informed about plans to extend the corridor to Afghanistan to enhance regional connectivity.
The committee was also briefed on China’s role in regional diplomacy, including the Pakistan-China-Bangladesh trilateral mechanism, efforts to revive the Pakistan-China-Afghanistan framework and recent China-Iran-Pakistan counter-terrorism consultations. Members were informed that 2026 would mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, with both sides planning joint commemorative events and expanded people-to-people exchanges.
Officials further briefed the committee on Pakistan’s economic diplomacy over the past year, including engagement through international investment forums, business-to-business conferences, high-level bilateral visits and the resolution of long-pending commercial disputes aimed at attracting foreign investment and expanding trade.
During the discussion, the chairman sought details on trade relations with key partner countries, free trade agreements and business facilitation mechanisms. He called for closer coordination with the Planning Division and directed that a joint meeting be convened. He also suggested exploring the establishment of a Pakistani business chamber in China to assist local businessmen facing language and procedural challenges.
The committee also took up a question raised by Senator Danesh Kumar regarding officers appointed on deputation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the past five years. The ministry clarified that deputation officers were not absorbed permanently and were repatriated to their parent departments upon completion of their tenure. Chairman Durrani directed the ministry to submit complete details of human resource appointments made during the period, along with the criteria followed.
Members also exchanged views on broader regional and global developments, including relations involving Afghanistan, Iran and China, shifting global power dynamics and Pakistan’s role at international forums. The Foreign Secretary briefed the committee on Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement at the multilateral level, including its role as a member of the United Nations Security Council.
Concluding the meeting, the chairman appreciated recent diplomatic and economic initiatives and observed that Pakistan was increasingly being recognized as a responsible, balanced and constructive force for peace, stability and economic cooperation in the region and beyond.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
