Xi Jinping delays Pakistan visit due to protests

Pakistan's foreign ministry said President Xi Jinping's state visit to the country this month had been postponed due to anti-government protests in Islamabad.

Pakistani opposition groups on Wednesday resumed talks with the government in a bid to end the political crisis rocking the country, but remained in a stalemate over demands for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down.

The fresh talks came after days of clashes between police and club-wielding anti-government protesters left three dead and hundreds injured, raising fears of an intervention by the military, which has ruled Pakistan for more than half its history.

"In view of the current political situation in Pakistan, the governments of China and Pakistan have mutually agreed to postponement of the state visit of ... Xi Jinping, president of China, to Pakistan, which was scheduled to take place later this month," the ministry said.

Diplomats from both countries were discussing new dates for the visit, it added.

"Both countries underline that China and Pakistan are time-tested all-weather friends. Both sides attach high importance to the visit of President Xi Jinping to Pakistan, as early as possible, for promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries."