Islamabad braces for high-stakes US-Iran peace talks tomorrow

Pakistan is all set to host peace talks between the United States and Iran starting Friday (tomorrow), even as a fragile ceasefire showed signs of strain on Thursday following Israel’s barbaric air strikes in Lebanon, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The diplomatic sources said that Iranian delegation will arrive in Pakistan late night today under the leadership of Speaker of the Islamic Shura Council Mohammad Qalibaf. 

After the Iranian delegation, the arrival of the American delegation is also expected tonight. The American delegation will arrive in Pakistan in two phases. In the first phase, US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and US President's son-in-law Jared Kushner will be part of the delegation. In the second phase, US Vice President JD Vance will arrive in Pakistan. 

The sources said Pakistan officials will meet with both sides separately before the meeting and later a meeting of the US and Iranian delegations will be held. 

The development followed a two-week ceasefire announced late Tuesday after Pakistani mediation. The truce was based on a 10-point Iranian proposal accepted by Washington as a general framework for holding talks in Islamabad.

Delegations are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Friday, with formal negotiations reportedly scheduled for Saturday. 

US President Donald Trump is dispatching a negotiating team led by Vice-President JD Vance to Islamabad for peace talks with Iran. 

Speaking at a White House press conference, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the negotiation team will also include Donald Trump's adviser Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Meanwhile, Iran’s delegation is expected to be led by Parliament Speaker Baqer Qalibaf with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

PM Shehbaz inspects talks venue

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday visited the talks venue in Islamabad and inspected the security arrangements.

According to sources, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other senior officials also accompanied the prime minister.

Security officials also briefed the prime minister about the deployed of security personnel for the high-stakes parleys.

Red Zone sealed

Over 5,000 personnel belonging to the police, Rangers and intelligence agencies have been deployed at different points in Islamabad and the Red Zone has been sealed by placing containers as security has been further tightened ahead of the arrival of foreign dignitaries for the US, Iran peace talks.

Only the concerned vehicles will be allowed to enter the zone from Margallah Road.

Similarly, snipers have taken their positions on the rooftops of buildings in the Red Zone.

Arrangements have been made at hotels situated inside the zone for hosting the visitors.

On the other hand, a comprehensive plan has been devised to regulate traffic during the talks.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking at a federal cabinet meeting, confirmed that US and Iranian delegations would be visiting Islamabad for talks.

Shehbaz Sharif also spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and later described the conversation as “warm and substantive”, adding he praised the Iranian leadership for showing “wisdom and sagacity” in accepting Pakistan’s offer to attend peace talks in Islamabad.

امروز بعدازظهر، گفت‌وگویی گرم و پربار با رئیس‌جمهور ایران، آقای دکتر مسعود پزشکیان، داشتم.
در این گفت‌وگو، مراتب قدردانی عمیق خود را از درایت و دوراندیشی رهبری ایران در پذیرش پیشنهاد پاکستان برای میزبانی گفت‌وگوهای صلح در اسلام‌آباد در اواخر این هفته، با هدف تلاش مشترک برای… https://t.co/Izt1abQsXP

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 8, 2026

 Islamabad in security lockdown 

The government has declared two days of local holidays in the federal capital at short notice from Thursday, ahead of talks between the United States and Iran.

No reason was given in the notification issued by the Islamabad district administration late Wednesday, but authorities in the capital have often announced holidays or restrictions for security reasons ahead of high-profile diplomatic events.

The holidays on Thursday and Friday apply only to the Islamabad Capital Territory, the notice posted by Islamabad's district commissioner on Wednesday said. However, two public holidays were also announced for the twin city of Rawalpindi.

The notification said offices providing essential services would remain open, including police, hospitals and power and gas utilities.

"Essential services will remain operational," the deputy commissioner's office said in a statement posted on X, advising residents to "plan their activities accordingly".

Traffic diversion plan

As preparations for the US, Iran talks are underway in Islamabad, the federal capital traffic police have provided motorists with alternative routes for today as well as for tomorrow.

A traffic diversion plan has been drawn up in view of the arrival of delegations from the US and Iran on April 9 and April 10 for the talks.

In this connection, traffic police have requested the people to use alternate routes in order to avoid inconvenience.

The police have asked motorists coming from Peshawar via GT Road to use Faisal Morr, Chakri, Chak Beli Road and Rawat Road in order to reach Rawalpindi, while those travelling from Lahore to Peshawar on GT Road have been asked to use Rawat Road, Chak Beli Road, Chakri and Taxila.

People, travelling from sectors G-5, F-6 and G-6 in Islamabad to Rawalpindi have been requested to use 9th Avenue for the purpose.

Traffic Police have said that the traffic coming from Faisal Avenue to Zero Point will be diverted towards the 9th Avenue.

It has asked motorists commuting between Bhara Kahu and Rawalpindi to use Korang Road, Bani Gala, Lehtrar Road, and GT Road.

It has been informed that the expressway will be closed for traffic from Zero Point Faisal Avenue to Koral Chowk.

Traffic Police have asked people travelling from Peshawar to Lahore to pass through Taxila and Fateh Jang on motorway in order to reach their destination, while an arrangement has been made for the flow of heavy traffic from Lahore to Rawalpindi or Islamabad on GT Road through Chak Beli Road and Chakri on motorway.

Traffic Police have said that the entry of heavy traffic in Islamabad will be banned on April 9 and April 10, while all routes leading to Red Zone in Islamabad will be closed for all kinds of traffic.

Search operation launched in Islamabad, Rawalpindi

Meanwhile, search and combing operation has been launched in Islamabad and five districts of Rawalpindi division as security has been further tightened ahead of the talks.

The law-enforcement agencies are carrying out a joint operation in and around Sabzi Mandi, Faizabad, Tarnol, Shahzad Town, Humak and Karachi Company in Islamabad and in Pir Wadhai, Noor Khan Airbase and Haji Camp in Rawalpindi.

Similarly, the operation has also been launched in different areas of Taxila, Murree, Jhelum, Chakwal and Attock.

Reporters: Anwer Abbas, Awais Kiyani and Muhammad Awais