Naqvi assures foolproof security for US-Iran ceasefire talks in Islamabad

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi assured US Charge d’Affaires to Pakistan Natalie Baker on Thursday of foolproof security ahead of the arrival of high-level foreign delegations in Islamabad on Friday for the US-Iran ceasefire talks.

The meeting came a day after Pakistan brokered a US‑Iran two‑week ceasefire. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Iran and the US, along with their allies, had agreed to an immediate ceasefire ‘everywhere, including Lebanon,’ effective immediately. He invited delegations from both nations to Islamabad on April 10 to negotiate a conclusive settlement.

Later, the White House announced that US President Donald Trump was sending Vice President JD Vance and other negotiators to Islamabad for talks with Iran beginning on Saturday. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi would be representing Tehran.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior on X today, Natalie met with Naqvi, where both discussed the upcoming talks and the Middle East situation.

“We have made extensive arrangements to ensure foolproof security for all international guests attending these crucial negotiations,” he said.

Naqvi said that US Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner would attend as special guests.

The statement further added that Natalie expressed her appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts in mediating the peace talks.

In light of security measures, the administration of the twin cities had already announced a two-day public holiday on April 9 and 10, with all educational institutions and government offices would remain closed. However, all emergency response departments, institutions, and authorities would remain operational. Citizens had been advised to plan their activities accordingly.

Islamabad Police issued a traffic diversion plan for April 9 and 10 due to the movement of foreign delegations, advising citizens to follow the plan and cooperate with officers on duty to avoid inconvenience.

It further added that diversions would be implemented on the Express Highway, and citizens were advised to plan their travel with extra time to avoid inconvenience.

“The Islamabad Traffic Police will be stationed on the roads to ensure public convenience and provide necessary awareness. Citizens are urged to exhibit patience and cooperate with the officers on duty during this period,” said the statement.

Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator in the region. Last month, the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, which prompted Tehran to retaliate with attacks on Israel and US military bases in the Gulf. This escalation of tensions in the Middle East led to efforts by political and military leadership in Pakistan to de-escalate the situation.

To ease tensions, Pakistan had also hosted a quadrilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in Islamabad, with representatives from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The meeting grabbed the world’s attention and was widely appreciated for Pakistan’s efforts.

Pakistan and China also jointly proposed a five-point initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the broader Middle East.

Perilous ceasefire

A fragile, conditional ceasefire is in place between the US and Iran, agreed after weeks of intense conflict. The deal revolves around a two‑week pause in fighting, largely aimed at halting major military strikes and reopening strategic routes like the Strait of Hormuz — although core disagreements remain unresolved. Both Washington and Tehran have declared the ceasefire a kind of victory, even as they stick to competing demands for a long‑term settlement.

At the centre of the truce is a 10‑point proposal from Iran, which the US has described as a “workable basis” for negotiation. The plan reportedly covers issues like non‑aggression, control and operation of the Strait of Hormuz, lifting sanctions, and cessation of hostilities on multiple fronts — including calls for an end to wars in related theatres. This framework is now set to guide peace talks, with Pakistan expected to host negotiations aimed at turning the temporary ceasefire into a more durable peace.

Despite the ceasefire, violence persists in Lebanon, where Israel has carried out heavy strikes on what it claims are Hezbollah targets, hitting mostly civilian infrastructure and causing significant casualties. Israel’s campaign in Lebanon is not officially part of the US‑Iran ceasefire agreement, according to US and Israeli statements, adding to confusion over the truce’s scope.

Tehran has warned that continued attacks in Lebanon could jeopardise the ceasefire, highlighting how fragile the pause in hostilities remains.