Pakistan has signed on as a founding member of China’s newly launched International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed), a global dispute resolution body headquartered in Hong Kong, the Foreign Office said on Friday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar signed the convention establishing the organisation during a ceremony attended by officials from several countries, including Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos and Serbia.
Representatives from around 20 international organisations, including the United Nations, were also expected to participate, according to Hong Kong’s public broadcaster RTHK.
“IOMeD also offers new opportunities and fresh hopes to build a more inclusive, more just and more equitable world. As one of the founding members of IOMed, Pakistan would continue to be an active voice in this noble mission,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The new mediation body, spearheaded by Beijing, is intended to function as a neutral forum for peaceful dispute resolution and aims to match the standing of the International Court of Justice.
Speaking at the event, Dar praised China’s leadership for developing the initiative and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy.
“The creation of IOMed underscores the indispensability and significance of multilateralism as the centrepiece for international peace, stability, and development,” Dar said.
He added that Pakistan would remain an active participant in the forum and viewed the new platform as a means to create a more just and inclusive world order.
A vision of shared peace
The idea for IOMed was originally proposed during China’s 2nd Belt and Road Forum in 2019, with formal negotiations beginning in 2021. Pakistan was invited as an early negotiating partner and co-signatory.
The organisation is intended to promote trust-based dialogue, uphold respect for national sovereignty, and integrate diverse legal traditions into its mediation efforts, the Pakistani Foreign Office said.
Dar used the platform to draw attention to what he called India’s “violation of international law”, citing the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as examples. He also referenced the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
“The resolution of longstanding disputes, particularly Jammu and Kashmir, in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, is vital for regional peace,” Dar said.
China has promoted IOMed as an inclusive alternative mediation framework open to all countries, regardless of legal tradition or political alignment.
“Through our presence in IOMed, Pakistan brings not only its rich diplomatic experience but also an unwavering commitment to peace, equity, and justice,” Dar concluded, urging member states to empower the organization to reach its full potential.
