By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar departed from Islamabad early this morning for a one-day official visit to Beijing, China, at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

According to officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit, Dar's second to the Chinese capital this year, is aimed at reviewing the full spectrum of Pakistan-China bilateral relations.

However, diplomatic sources confirm that the ongoing Middle East war and Pakistan's recent efforts to de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran will dominate the discussions.

A senior official accompanying the delegation said that Dar intends to take Foreign Minister Wang Yi fully into confidence regarding Islamabad's quiet but increasingly successful diplomatic push to end the conflict.

"Pakistan has emerged as a trusted mediator. The DPM will brief China on the backchannel engagements that have brought the U.S. and Iran closer to the negotiating table," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Sources further revealed that Dar will discuss the outcomes of a recently concluded quadrilateral consultation involving Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The four nations have been coordinating their diplomatic strategies to pressure both Washington and Tehran toward an immediate ceasefire and permanent resolution.

While China has maintained a relatively balanced stance throughout the Middle East crisis -- calling for restraint while avoiding direct confrontation with any party -- Beijing has consistently supported Pakistan's role as a mediator. Officials expect Wang Yi to reaffirm China's backing for Islamabad's diplomatic initiatives, particularly if they lead to a U.S.-Iran dialogue hosted in a Muslim capital.

This one-day trip comes at a critical juncture. With US and Iranian delegations reportedly preparing to arrive in Islamabad for peace talks in the coming weeks, Pakistan is moving swiftly to ensure that all major powers, including China, are aligned with its approach.

Dar last visited Beijing earlier this year to discuss economic cooperation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This time, the agenda is dominated by war and peace.

Following his meetings with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Dar is expected to return to Islamabad later tonight. No joint press conference has been announced yet, but diplomatic observers anticipate a joint statement reaffirming the "All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership" and China's endorsement of Pakistan's mediation role.

As one Pakistani diplomat put it before departure: "The world is watching Islamabad. Now we need Beijing's blessing to seal the deal."