China and Pakistan have renewed calls for diplomacy and restraint as the conflict between the United States and Iran continues to escalate, urging all parties to preserve the fragile momentum towards peace. During high-level talks in Shanghai, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani officials stressed the importance of honouring the existing ceasefire memorandum of understanding and resuming dialogue between Washington and Tehran. Calling the agreement a "hard-won" diplomatic breakthrough, Wang Yi warned against allowing renewed military action to derail the progress already achieved. In a strong appeal for restraint, Wang Yi said, "Peace is before our eyes. We cannot fall at the last hurdle," urging all sides to avoid actions that could trigger a wider regional conflict.

Pakistan's preferential trade access to the European Union has come under renewed scrutiny after the European Parliament linked the country's GSP+ status to its human rights record and compliance with international obligations. In its latest observations, the European Parliament stressed that continued access to the GSP+ trade scheme depends on Pakistan's implementation of 27 international conventions covering human rights, labour rights, environmental protection, climate commitments and good governance. The resolution also highlighted the cases of rights activist Mahrang Baloch and lawyer Imaan Mazari while calling for greater protection of fundamental freedoms and democratic rights. European lawmakers further voiced concern over allegations of the weaponization of state institutions against dissenting voices. WATCH