ISLAMABAD – Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Thursday called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s Office, where the two leaders reviewed progress on Pakistan’s mediatory efforts aimed at achieving sustainable peace in the region.
Both dignitaries expressed satisfaction over the de-escalation achieved so far and underscored the importance of maintaining the ceasefire and ensuring continued restraint by all parties involved.
The leadership appreciated the restraint demonstrated by all sides and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to facilitate and provide all out support to both the sides to arrive at a peacefully negotiated settlement. ‘
The prime minister lauded the commitment of the parties involved in the process and wished them success in their pursuit of peace. He also renewed his invitation to the arriving delegations and assured them of the highest consideration and support by Pakistan.
Islamabad is expected to host US-Iran peace talks on Saturday. Ahead of the talks, Sharif and Pakistani army chief Asim Munir, who also helped mediate, said they “appreciated the restraint demonstrated by all sides.”
The US and Israel demand that Iran dismantle its nuclear program, restrict its ballistic missile program, relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz and end its support for terrorist proxies.
Islamabad is gearing up to host critical peace talks between the United States and Iran on April 10, with Pakistan taking centre stage as a mediator in the Middle East conflict.
Security forces are placed on high alert in federal capital Islamabad ahead of the US-Iran peace talks most likely to begin on Saturday.
Foreign dignitaries from the United States, Iran and some friendly countries are expected to participate in the talks after the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire for 15 days. The ceasefire brought to a pause the hostilities which broke out on February 28. The US Vice President JD Vance, US Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner are expected to negotiate from the US side in the talks.
A comprehensive plan has been prepared to provide foolproof security to all foreign guests in every respect. Islamabad Police, in a traffic advisory posted on X, said diversions will be placed on the Express Highway due to the movement of foreign delegations, advising commuters to plan their travel accordingly. The advisory directed commuters to cooperate with the traffic police. A 30-member advance US team had already arrived in Islamabad to review security arrangements. Comprehensive security measures have been put in place, involving all law enforcement agencies and security forces, given the sensitivity of the event. A hotel located within the Red Zone will accommodate the delegations, with heightened security deployed in and around the premises. Red Zone have completely been sealed ahead of the arrival of the delegates in the capital. VVIP protocol under the Blue Book will be extended to the delegations during their movement, stay and meetings, said the sources. Authorities also declared two local holidays in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Thursday and Friday to ensure security for the foreign guests.
Furthermore, all state-run rescue departments and hospitals have been put on high alert. They will remain on standby and ensure the availability of staff and essential supplies.
The authorities have also enforced traffic measures across Islamabad due to the arrival of foreign delegations, with key roads facing diversions and closures. According to the Islamabad Traffic Police, all heavy traffic would remain banned from entering Islamabad on the occasion of the talks. Under the traffic plan, the Expressway from Zero Point to Koral Chowk will remain closed from both sides, while diversions will also be placed on the Islamabad Express Highway because of the movement of foreign delegations. Commuters travelling from Peshawar to Rawalpindi via GT Road have been advised to use the Taxila Motorway, Chakri, Chak Beli Road and Rawat routes. Similarly, those travelling from Lahore to Peshawar have been directed to use Rawat, Chak Beli Road and the Taxila Motorway.
Traffic police also advised people travelling from Margalla Road to Rawalpindi to use Ninth Avenue, while traffic heading from Faisal Avenue to Zero Point will also be diverted towards Ninth Avenue. For commuters travelling from Bhara Kahu to Rawalpindi, the designated alternative routes are Korang Road, Bani Gala and Lehtrar Road. Those coming from Rawalpindi to Islamabad have been instructed to use Murree Road via Ninth Avenue.
Meanwhile, in view of security and administrative measures in the federal capital, the District Magistrate Islamabad has issued an order to temporarily close important hiking trails of Margalla Hills. According to a notification issued by District Magistrate Irfan Nawaz Memon, Trail 2, Trail 3, Trail 4, Trail 5 and the trail located behind Saidpur Village will be completely closed for general public during April 9 and 10.
