By Asghar Ali Mubarak
The Pakistani capital, Islamabad, is currently the center of global diplomacy, where historic talks between the United States and Iran for a ceasefire and lasting peace have begun. Pakistan is hosting these talks on April 10, 2026, and has played an important mediating role in ending recent regional tensions. Thanks to successful, dynamic diplomacy, the eyes of the world are focused on Pakistan today. Pakistan has further strengthened its position in the international community. The country has played a responsible and positive role in global affairs, a prominent example of which is the effective diplomatic efforts to end tensions and promote peace in the region.
The role of Pakistan: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar are the facilitators in the talks. The US delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance, and also includes Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The Iranian delegation is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. The Serena Hotel in Islamabad’s Red Zone hosts the talks, while authorities have implemented tight security arrangements and declared a public holiday in the federal capital. The main objective of these talks is to turn a temporary two‑week ceasefire into a permanent peace agreement. The main points under discussion are as follows.
Control of the Strait of Hormuz: Iran wants to maintain control of this vital trade route and impose tolls on ships, while the United States is demanding its immediate and complete restoration. The scope of the ceasefire: Iran insists that Israeli attacks against Lebanon, specifically against Hezbollah, should also be part of the agreement, while Israel has indicated that it will continue its operations in Lebanon. The nuclear program and sanctions: the talks are also expected to discuss Iran’s right to enrich uranium and the lifting of international sanctions on it. Although there are high hopes for these talks at the global level, experts say that due to the big differences between the two countries, there is little expectation of any immediate major breakthrough, but the continuation of the talks is being considered the first step towards peace in the region.
Furthermore, a high‑level consultative meeting has been held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in which the political and military leadership has expressed its determination to make the ceasefire talks successful. The meeting was attended by top military and civilian leadership, detailed consultations were held regarding the Islamabad talks, and important decisions were also taken to make the talks successful. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and the foreign secretary were also present. The participants resolved to make the Islamabad talks successful. The meeting was informed that Pakistan’s positive and constructive role in the ceasefire is being appreciated at the global level; this opportunity for peace will not be wasted.
The White House has confirmed that Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Donald Trump’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner are representing the US in the talks with Iran, while the Iranian delegation includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. The movement of the negotiating delegations is being kept under wraps for security reasons, but it is currently expected that this phase of the talks will last two days. The immediate start of direct talks with Israel, which both sides have now agreed to, and the announcement that the army and security forces will begin the full restoration of state authority, as Prime Minister Nawaf Salam did on Thursday, may be tantamount to “slow and steady”.
In order to make the talks between Iran and the US possible, both Pakistan’s civilian government and the Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, have held public and private talks with most of the world’s leaders over the past month or so. On the one hand, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar have been in touch with Iran, the Gulf countries, China and other partners, while Field Marshal Asim Munir has also been in touch behind the scenes with several foreign leaders, including US President Donald Trump. However, the journey ahead in the talks may be a bit difficult. Many are also wondering what the likely outcome of the Islamabad talks will be.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry stressed that the parties should resolve their differences through dialogue. Meanwhile, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moqadam has said that Pakistan’s positive and constructive efforts to stop the conflict under good faith and mediation have entered an important and critical stage. Earlier, the Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that Iran has submitted peace proposals to Pakistan with the aim of ending the ongoing war with the United States on a permanent basis. According to IRNA, the Iranian delegation submitted its recommendations in response to the American proposals, which were finalized by the Iranian leadership after a detailed review for about two weeks before submission.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform Truth Social that an entire civilization will end tonight, which can never be brought back. I don’t want it to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have changed the entire regime, where people with different, more intelligent and less extremist thinking will prevail, perhaps something revolutionary and wonderful will happen. Trump wrote that this could be one of the most important moments in the world’s long and complex history; a 47‑year history of bloodshed, corruption and death is finally coming to an end. May God have mercy on the great people of Iran.
(The writer is a senior journalist covering various beats, can be reached at editorial@metro-morning.com)
