Pakistan is pulling out all the stops ahead of one of the most significant diplomatic events in its history. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker on Thursday. He assured her of foolproof security for all international delegations arriving in Islamabad on Friday for the US-Iran ceasefire talks. The meeting followed Pakistan’s successful brokering of a two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran — a feat that has placed Islamabad firmly at the center of global diplomacy.
وفاقی وزیر داخلہ محسن نقوی سے امریکی سفیر نیٹلی
— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) April 9, 2026
ملاقات
مشرق وسطیٰ کی موجودہ صورتحال میں پر بات چیت۔ جنگ بندی کا خیر مقدم ۔پاکستان کے مضبوط سفارتی کردار کی تعریف
اسلام آباد میں کل ہونے والے اعلی سطح کے مذاکرات پر بھی تبادلہ خیال pic.twitter.com/QlfY3ap8ap
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier announced the ceasefire, confirming it would apply everywhere, including Lebanon. He then invited both nations to Islamabad on April 10 to negotiate a conclusive settlement.
Top US and Iranian Officials Heading to Islamabad for Crucial Negotiations
The stakes could not be higher. The White House confirmed that US Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner would travel to Islamabad for the negotiations. Iran, meanwhile, is sending Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Natalie Baker also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s mediation efforts during her meeting with Naqvi.
To accommodate the high-level arrivals, authorities announced a two-day public holiday on April 9 and 10. Schools and government offices will remain closed. However, all emergency services will stay fully operational. Islamabad Police issued a traffic diversion plan as well, with changes on the Express Highway expected to affect commuters across the twin cities.
Pakistan’s role here did not emerge overnight. Last month, US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran triggered retaliatory attacks on Israel and US Gulf bases. In response, Pakistan’s leadership moved swiftly to de-escalate. Islamabad hosted a quadrilateral foreign ministers’ meeting with Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Furthermore, Pakistan and China jointly proposed a five-point peace initiative for the Gulf region. Together, these efforts built the foundation for the US-Iran ceasefire talks now set to begin on Pakistani soil.
