ISLAMABAD

Pakistan’s foreign minister on Wednesday thanked China for its consistent support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, political stability and socioeconomic development, saying Beijing has assured Islamabad of support in every difficult time.

In a video message after a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in China’s eastern Anhui province, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said he briefed Wang on the current regional situation and discussed other issues, including Ukraine and Afghanistan.

“I have received a clear message from the Chinese foreign minister that China has been a reliable partner of Pakistan in the past and will continue to be so in the future. China has always protected Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to do so,” said Qureshi.

His remarks come in the backdrop of claims by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan that an “international conspiracy” is being hatched to dislodge his government because of its “independent foreign policy.”

Due to face a no-confidence vote in parliament soon, Khan is under growing pressure as key allies have broken ranks with his government in recent days.

At a rally in the capital this past Sunday, he waved around a piece of paper that he claimed was a written threat by a foreign power.

He did not name any country and refused to divulge the contents “in national interest.”

Qureshi and his delegation arrived in China on Tuesday to attend the third meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries.

In a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, he reiterated Islamabad’s firm adherence to the “One China” policy and continued support on issues of Beijing’s core interests.

Qureshi said he discussed the current situation in Ukraine with Wang and conveyed that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) remains willing to help facilitate a diplomatic solution.

China has also agreed to roll over Pakistan’s debt and help in case of any oil shortages in the country because of the Ukraine war, Qureshi added.

The Pakistani foreign minister also met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and Iran’s top diplomat Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.