Pak Dy PM Dar lands in Beijing for review of ties

China on Monday said it will play a constructive role for the realisation of a “lasting ceasefire” between India and Pakistan as Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar arrived here for talks with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi.

A Chinese spokeswoman parried questions on India’s assertions that China provided air-defence and satellite support during Pakistan’s recent military conflict and Chinese military systems performed below average. She said that the question should be directed to competent authorities in the country.

She also gave a similar answer when asked whether the replenishment of the Chinese weapons system would be discussed during Dar’s visit.

The Chinese air force earlier denied reports that it is sending weapon supplies to Pakistan in a cargo plane.

Also, Beijing is reportedly upset over Pakistan, its close ally, rushing to senior US officials for a ceasefire with India, and Trump claiming credit for the cessation of hostilities between the two countries.

Pakistan is also reportedly peeved over the warming of relations between Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government and India, forcing it to deploy a substantial number of troops to guard the Pak-Afghan border amid conflict with India.

China mulls pacing up dam project

China has announced plans to accelerate work on a “flagship” dam in Pakistan to ease pressure on its all-weather ally. The state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation has been working on the Mohmand Hydropower Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in north-western Pakistan since 2019. The project was scheduled to be completed next year.