ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has stepped into a pivotal diplomatic role following the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, with high-stakes negotiations set to begin in Islamabad over the next two days.
Just hours before the ceasefire announcement by Donald Trump, mediation efforts appeared to be collapsing. However, a final push by Pakistan’s civil and military leadership successfully brought Tehran back to the negotiating table, setting the stage for crucial dialogue.
According to sources, delegation-level talks will kick off today, while the decisive phase of negotiations is scheduled for Saturday.
The US delegation includes Vice President JD Vance, senior envoy Steve Witkoff, and presidential adviser Jared Kushner. Iran will be represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the venue to review security preparations, while Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held consultations with France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. Paris praised Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts and expressed support for continued engagement toward long-term regional stability.
Both sides also voiced concern over reported ceasefire violations in Lebanon, stressing the need for strict adherence to the agreement.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that lifting sanctions on Iran could bring economic benefits not only to Pakistan but to the wider global community. He noted that Pakistan is increasingly being viewed as a constructive force for peace.
On the security front, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired a high-level meeting to finalize arrangements. Authorities have decided to seal Islamabad’s Red Zone, enforce strict access controls, and establish a central monitoring system to ensure the safety of visiting delegations.
Separately, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) denied allegations of launching missiles during the ceasefire period, dismissing circulating reports as unfounded.
In Washington, President Trump said he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scale back operations in Lebanon, expressing optimism about the ceasefire’s durability and the prospects for a successful agreement.
With global attention fixed on Islamabad, the outcome of these talks could prove in shaping the next phase of US–Iran relations and broader regional stability.
