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ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong commended Islamabad&#39;s role in facilitating&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/islamabad-talks-process-continues-heres-how" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">direct talks</a>&nbsp;between the United States and Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported Monday. According to an official statement on X (Twitter) by the Foreign Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met with the Chinese ambassador. <div class="fr-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar <a href="https://twitter.com/MIshaqDar50?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MIshaqDar50</a> received today Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong. Discussions centered on recent developments following the Islamabad talks. DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s continued resolve to support&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/5JFeuHnmF2">pic.twitter.com/5JFeuHnmF2</a>&mdash; Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) <a href="https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2043651117960306924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2026</a></blockquote></div> Discussions centered on recent developments in the aftermath of the Islamabad Talks. The deputy prime minister said Pakistan remains committed to supporting dialogue and diplomacy to resolve international conflicts. Meanwhile, the Chinese ambassador praised Pakistan&#39;s important contribution to bringing Washington and Tehran to the table for direct engagement. Both sides also talked about the importance of the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-minister-reaffirms-commitment-to-making-gwadar-global-trade-hub" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pakistan-China</a> strategic partnership in maintaining regional stability.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong on Monday, April 13, 2026. (MOFA/X)

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met with China’s ambassador to discuss recent diplomatic developments, including Pakistan’s role in brokering direct US-Iran talks and the continued strength of Pakistan-China relations.


China commends Pakistan’s role in facilitating direct talks between US, Iran

PARIS: France and Britain will co-host a summit this week to discuss a &quot;coordinated, independent, multinational plan&quot; to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, UK Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/not-our-war-uk-pm-says-will-not-be-drawn-into-mideast-conflict" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Keir Starmer</a>&nbsp;said Monday. Britain had convened &quot;more than 40 nations who share our aim to restore freedom of navigation&quot; and the summit will discuss ways to protect shipping &quot;when the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/usisrael-war-on-iran-day-45" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">conflict ends,</a>&quot; Starmer said. Britain and France will work on a &quot;peaceful multinational mission&quot; that would be &quot;separate from the warring parties,&quot; French President Emmanuel Macron said earlier Monday. US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February sparked a region-wide war and brought traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to a near standstill, blocking a key route for global oil and gas shipments. Iran and the United States last week agreed to a two-week cessation of hostilities, including meeting directly for <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-briefs-allies-on-islamabad-talks-urges-ceasefire-adherence" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">talks in Pakistan</a> on the weekend. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump ordered his navy to carry out a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday. Trump also said, on his Truth Social platform, that &quot;Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade&quot; but did not specify which ones. The UK-French initiative, which Macron and Starmer announced on X, appeared to be separate from Trump&#39;s announced blockade. On April 2, a UK-led diplomatic meeting of some 40 countries demanded &quot;the immediate and unconditional reopening&quot; of the vital shipping route. Macron said the conference would involve &quot;countries prepared to contribute alongside us to a peaceful multinational mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait&quot;. &quot;This strictly defensive mission, separate from the warring parties to the conflict, is intended to be deployed as soon as circumstances permit,&quot; he said. The US military said the blockade of the Strait ordered by Trump would begin at 1400 GMT, and apply to all ships leaving or seeking to dock at Iranian ports on either side of the key waterway. Starmer said Monday that Britain will not join the naval blockade announced by Trump.

Image caption: In this satellite image provided by NASA, the Strait of Hormuz is shown between the rugged southern coast of Iran, top, and the Musandam Peninsula of Oman, center. This narrow waterway serves as the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to

Middle East

France and Britain will host a summit on securing shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting will discuss a multinational plan to protect navigation amid rising regional tensions.

France, UK to host summit on Hormuz this week

Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s growing role as a neutral and credible diplomatic actor is gaining recognition globally, according to US journalist and former Obama administration policy adviser Laurie A. Watkins. Speaking at Pakistan TV programme, &lsquo;World This Morning&rsquo;, Watkins praised the country&rsquo;s recent international engagement and facilitation efforts, saying Pakistan has successfully positioned itself as a trusted intermediary by maintaining neutrality and focusing on constructive diplomacy. She said the country &ldquo;has treated this with the highest strategic level&rdquo;, avoiding taking sides while helping bring opposing parties to the table. This approach, she said, has not only served Pakistan well but has also earned broader international approval. Watkins highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s role in facilitating dialogue between adversaries, describing it as a &ldquo;crucial intermediary&rdquo; that enabled high-level engagement at a time of significant global tension. She emphasised that such efforts are beneficial not just for Pakistan but for regional stability in South Asia and the wider international community. According to her, the current negotiations remain in early stages, with the possibility of further rounds, including what she referred to as a potential &ldquo;Islamabad 2.0&rdquo;. She also pointed to Pakistan&rsquo;s rapidly improving global image, saying the country has undergone a significant transformation in how it is perceived internationally. &ldquo;It has been incredible to watch,&rdquo; she said, adding that discussions in Washington have shifted toward a more respectful and cooperative tone regarding Pakistan. Watkins said the country is increasingly being seen as a reliable partner not only for the United States but also for other global actors. Reflecting on her visits to Islamabad, former policy adviser to President Obama praised the country&rsquo;s hospitality and security environment, describing her experience as welcoming and reassuring. She said international journalists shared similar sentiments, highlighting the warmth and openness they encountered during their stay. While acknowledging ongoing geopolitical challenges, Watkins expressed optimism about the future of negotiations and Pakistan&rsquo;s role in them. &ldquo;Pakistan has elevated itself in the international community,&rdquo; she said, adding that its approach could serve as a model for other countries seeking to enhance their diplomatic standing.

World This Morning

US journalist Laurie A. Watkins says Pakistan’s neutral, constructive diplomacy has boosted its credibility, positioning it as a trusted intermediary, improving its image, supporting dialogue between rivals, and contributing to regional stability and future negotiations.

Pakistan's diplomatic role recognised globally: Laurie Watkins

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Sanae Takaichi, the Prime Minister of Japan, today, during which the Japanese premier appreciated Islamabad&rsquo;s diplomatic role in facilitating the ceasefire and talks, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO) on Monday. During their warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders discussed the recently held Islamabad Talks between the United States and Iran, hosted by Pakistan. Prime Minister Takaichi appreciated Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic role in facilitating the ceasefire and talks.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2043602442844303697&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8654ef1b046cef633ea3e6d53eee44f27c4a12bc&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 677px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2043602442844303697">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>She expressed Japan&rsquo;s full support for the peace process and its importance for regional stability and global energy security. While thanking the Japanese prime minister for her good wishes, Prime Minister Sharif said that he was grateful to both the US and Iranian delegations for their extensive discussions in Islamabad and said that Pakistan would continue with its efforts to ensure that the ceasefire is maintained. The prime minister expressed his desire to further strengthen Pakistan-Japan bilateral cooperation, which was reciprocated by the Japanese prime minister as well. Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination.

Expresses Japan’s full support for the peace process and its importance for regional stability and global energy security.

Japanese PM appreciates Pakistan’s role in US-Iran ceasefire, talks    

BEIJING: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit China this week, Beijing said on Monday, as the two sides hope to boost cooperation. &quot;Russia&#39;s foreign minister Lavrov will pay an official visit to China from April 14 to 15,&quot; foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference. Lavrov will hold talks with China&#39;s top diplomat Wang Yi in which the two will &quot;exchange views and coordinate positions on the development of bilateral relations, cooperation in various fields, and international and regional issues of common concern&quot;, Guo said. The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that the pair would discuss the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. Beijing and Moscow are close economic and political partners, and the relationship has deepened further since Russia&#39;s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Wang held a call with Lavrov on April 5, when the pair agreed Beijing and Moscow would work together to deescalate tensions in the Middle East.

Asia

China

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit China on April 14-15 for talks with Wang Yi on bilateral ties, Ukraine and the Middle East, as Beijing and Moscow seek closer coordination.

Russian FM to visit China April 14-15: Beijing

ISLAMABAD: A Hindutva gathering in Kodagu district of Indian State of Karnataka &nbsp;was flagged by rights watch Clarion India on Sunday. The event triggered outrage after videos circulated online showed speakers urging Hindus to boycott Muslim businesses, in the latest incident to spotlight concerns over rising anti-Muslim rhetoric in India.&nbsp; The gathering, held in Napoklu on April 1 under the banner of &quot;Hindu Raksha Samiti&quot;, was described by organizers as an &ldquo;awareness drive&rdquo;.&nbsp; However the &quot;No Muslims allowed&quot; banner at the entrance and hate speeches calling on attendees to avoid trade with Muslims and other non-Hindus, drew sharp criticism.&nbsp; According to Clarion India, speakers at the event invoked terms such as &ldquo;love jihad,&rdquo; &ldquo;land jihad&rdquo; and &ldquo;economic jihad,&rdquo; and those present were asked to take a pledge not to engage in commercial dealings with Muslims.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2042886052050821226&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=df1af13ac48c3eb4ff9e018d480fbebacb50aae5&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 743px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2042886052050821226"></iframe></div></div>Community members said such calls could damage livelihoods in an area where many families depend on small businesses and daily trade.&nbsp; One organizer, Kukkera Ajith, was quoted as saying the meeting was intended to raise awareness after a recent local attack on a Hindu man.&nbsp;The controversy comes against a wider backdrop of growing concern over Islamophobia in India.&nbsp; Hate speech in IndiaIn January, international media reported that anti-minority hate speech in India rose by 13% in 2025, citing data from India Hate Lab, a project of the Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH).&nbsp; The report documented 1,318 incidents, up from 1,165 in 2024, with 1,289 of those speeches targeting Muslims either explicitly or alongside Christians.&nbsp; The majority of incidents occurred in states ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its allies.&nbsp; CSOH&rsquo;s 2025 report said hate speech in India continued to rely heavily on Hindu nationalist tropes portraying Muslims as outsiders and as an existential threat, often through conspiracy narratives built around various forms of &ldquo;jihad.&rdquo;&nbsp; Researchers also identified a sharp surge in such speeches during moments of political and communal tension.&nbsp; As of now, no public statement from the Kodagu district administration or police has come forward in connection with the Napoklu speeches.&nbsp; The episode has renewed demands from local residents and activists for legal action, with critics warning that calls for a Muslim boycott risk deepening communal divisions in a state long seen as socially diverse and commercially interdependent.&nbsp;

India

A Karnataka gathering urging Hindus to boycott Muslim businesses has sparked outrage in India, with critics warning it reflects deepening Islamophobia and a wider rise in anti-Muslim hate speech.

Anti-Muslim boycott call at Karnataka event stirs outrage in India

SYDNEY: A woman will command Australia&#39;s army for the first time since its founding 125 years ago, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Monday as he unveiled the &quot;deeply historic&quot; appointment. Lieutenant general Susan Coyle was named Australia&#39;s Chief of Army following a three-decade career during which she has served in the Solomon Islands, Afghanistan and the Middle East. &quot;Her achievement means that she will be the first woman to command a service in Australian history,&quot; Marles told reporters. &quot;And it is a deeply historic moment. As Susan said to me, you cannot be what you cannot see.&quot; Australia&#39;s army is in the throes of a major transformation, equipping itself with long-range firepower, drones and other modern combat tools. Coyle stressed her experience in areas such as cyber-warfare. &quot;This breadth of experience provides a strong foundation for the responsibilities of command and the trust placed in me,&quot; she said.

This handout photo from the Australian Defence Force taken on July 4, 2024, shows Lieutenant general Susan Coyle reacting as she attends an official event in Canberra. Coyle will command Australia's army for the first time since its founding 125 years ago

Australasia

Lieutenant general Susan Coyle was named Australia's Chief of Army following a three-decade career during which she has served in the Solomon Islands, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Australia names Susan Coyle first woman to lead army 

HONG KONG: Oil prices surged and stocks sank Monday after US-Iran peace talks fell apart and Donald Trump announced a blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, adding to fears of energy supplies from the Middle East. Negotiations in Islamabad at the weekend fell apart with the US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance blaming Iran&#39;s refusal to give up its nuclear program and Tehran hitting out at &quot;maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade&quot;. The news dealt a blow to hopes for an end to the six-week conflict, which has sent crude prices soaring, pushing inflation up and sending shivers through the global economy. Oil prices which tumbled last week after the United States and Iran agreed to a ceasefire jumped around eight percent Monday, with both contracts topping $100 a barrel. Equities fell across Asia, with Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul off at least one percent, while Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei and Jakarta were also down. In a lengthy social media post, US President Donald Trump said his goal was to clear the strait of mines and reopen it to all shipping. But he said that Iran must not be allowed to profit from controlling the waterway through which a fifth of global oil and gas usually passes. &quot;Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,&quot; Trump wrote on Truth Social. &quot;Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!&quot; He said the blockade would only apply to vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports. The US military said Sunday it will blockade all Iranian Gulf ports on Monday at 1400 GMT, effectively seizing control of maritime traffic. Iran&#39;s Revolutionary Guards said its security forces had full control over the strait and warned enemies would be trapped in a &quot;deadly vortex&quot; in case of any &quot;wrong move&quot;. Iran&#39;s navy chief Shahram Irani called Trump&#39;s threat &quot;ridiculous and funny&quot;, according to state TV. After the talks the highest-level meeting between the two sides since the 1979 Islamic revolution Vance said Washington had made Tehran its &quot;final and best offer,&quot; adding: &quot;We&#39;ll see if the Iranians accept it.&quot; Iran&#39;s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the rivals had been &quot;inches away&quot; from a deal, writing on X that &quot;Iran engaged with US in good faith to end war&quot;. But he added &quot;we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade&quot;. Nicole Grajewski, an assistant professor at the Center for International Research at Sciences Po in Paris, warned that a US blockade was &quot;not a minor coercive signal&quot; but would rather be considered an effective resumption of the war. Fawad Razaqzada, a market analyst at <a data-fr-linked="true" href="//Forex.com" id="isPasted" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">Forex.com</a> said: &quot;The fundamental issue remains trust or rather, the lack of it between two long-standing adversaries who still appear some distance from common ground.&quot; Investors are also keeping an eye on attempts to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, as Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he was pushing to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces. &quot;We will continue to work to stop this war, to ensure the Israeli withdrawal from all our lands, the return of all the prisoners, to rebuild our destroyed villages and towns, and the safe return of the displaced,&quot; Salam said. The prospect of the Middle East crisis continuing for the foreseeable future ramped up inflation fears and weighed on gold amid expectations interest rates would be kept elevated. Data Friday highlighted the impact of the conflict on prices, with the US consumer price index spiking at 3.3% in March, its highest since May last year. Key figures at around 0230 GMT West Texas Intermediate: UP 8.0% at $104.33 a barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP 6.9% at $101.73 a barrel Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.0% at 56,357.40 (break) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.0% at 25,627.75 Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.1% at 3,981.08 Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1686 from $1.1728 on Friday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3401 from $1.3463 Dollar/yen: UP at 159.67 yen from 159.19 yen Euro/pound: UP at 87.20 pence from 87.11 pence

A stockbroker walks past share prices on a digital board during a trading session at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in Karachi

Business

Oil prices jumped and global markets fell after Donald Trump announced a Strait of Hormuz blockade following the collapse of US–Iran talks.

Oil surges, stocks fall as Trump says to blockade Strait of Hormuz

ISLAMABAD: A deadly attack in western Afghanistan has drawn strong international condemnation, after gunmen opened fire on families gathered near a religious site in Herat province. The attack took place on Friday in Deh Mehri village, located in the Injil district of Herat Province, where families had assembled for a picnic near a Shia shrine, according to local media.&nbsp; At least 11 people were killed and 11 others injured, including women and children. Witnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as the unidentified attackers began shooting into the crowd. Emergency responders transported the wounded to nearby medical facilities, where several remain in critical condition, local media reported. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed condolences to the victims and their families, describing the incident as a &ldquo;terrible crime.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;We express our condolences to the victims and to the families affected, and wish those injured a speedy recovery,&rdquo; said the UN&rsquo;s Officer-in-charge of Afghanistan Georgette Gagnon, who also called on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the protection of all communities across Afghanistan.&nbsp; The UN&rsquo;s Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan Richard Bennett, meanwhile. strongly condemned the attack, describing it as &ldquo;brutal&rdquo; and urged that those responsible be brought to justice.&nbsp; He noted that the victims were members of the Shia community and stressed that such targeted violence must not go unpunished. The European Union also denounced the killings, stating that violence against civilians is unacceptable under any circumstances. The bloc extended its condolences to the victims&rsquo; families and expressed solidarity with those affected.&nbsp;

Afghan men walk past shops closed in solidarity with victims killed in an attack by unidentified armed men on the outskirts of the Sayed Mohammad Agha Shia shrine, a day after the incident in Herat on April 11, 2026.

Afghanistan

Gunmen attacked families at a Shia shrine gathering in Herat, Afghanistan, killing at least 11 people and drawing strong international condemnation.

Deadly attack on civilians in Afghanistan draws international condemnation 

ISLAMABAD: &nbsp;Indian activist Gurjeet Singh Khalsa has been continuing his protest atop a mobile tower in Samana (Indian Punjab), where he has been stationed since Oct. 12, 2024, demanding the implementation of an anti-sacrilege law in Punjab, according to Indian media.&nbsp; The protest has come under media spotlight as the Legislative Assembly (Punjab Vidhan Sabha) prepares to deliberate on the proposed anti-sacrilege law,&nbsp;Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026.&nbsp; The bill seeks to introduce strict penalties for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib, including imprisonment ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life, along with hefty fines and potential confiscation of property. Call for implementation of law&nbsp; Indian media outlet quoted the activist as saying, he would continue his protest atop the tower until the anti-sacrilege law is implemented.&nbsp; &ldquo;I have full faith in my Guru. Even last month, when Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, along with MLAs Inderbir Singh Nijjar and Chetan Singh Jouramajra, visited the protest site to persuade me to end the protest, I had made it clear that the Assembly and the Bill have no value until the government ensures the law is implemented,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp; Although the speaker had assured him that he would return with the draft of the bill after the Assembly session, Khalsa rejected the assurances. &ldquo;I am neither a politician nor a leader. My fight is against religious bias and for a stricter law against sacrilege,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I am ready to continue this protest for days, months, or even years. I am in no hurry and remain in charhdi kala (high spirits),&rdquo; he added. The proposed bill also seeks to impose fines ranging from 0.5 million INR to 2.5 million INR on those found guilty of sacrilegious acts, along with provisions for confiscation of property of the accused.&nbsp; It broadens the definition of desecration to include spoken or written words, signs, or any visible representation, including electronic content, that hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs.

Village Gurdwara, Patiala India (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Activist Gurjeet Singh Khalsa continues his prolonged tower protest in Punjab, demanding strict implementation not just passage of a proposed anti-sacrilege law.

China commends Pakistan’s role in facilitating direct talks between US, Iran

Latest News

France, UK to host summit on Hormuz this week

China commends Pakistan’s role in facilitating direct talks between US, Iran

Pakistan's diplomatic role recognised globally: Laurie Watkins

Japanese PM appreciates Pakistan’s role in US-Iran ceasefire, talks

Russian FM to visit China April 14-15: Beijing