ISLAMABAD — The Pakistani capital remains under a strict security lockdown as Islamabad launched a fresh round of back-channel diplomacy to bring the US and Iran back to the negotiation table, according to security sources cited by Anadolu news agency.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran to allow time for Tehran to prepare a “unified proposal,” following a request by Pakistani officials.
“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”
Roads leading to the capital’s “Red Zone” that houses important government and private buildings, including the five-star hotel, where the first round of talks between Washington and Tehran took place, still remained closed for general traffic.
All educational institutions and hostels in Islamabad and the adjacent garrison city of Rawalpindi have been closed since last week.
Public transportation, including metro bus services, remains suspended.
However, the government reopened two bus terminals in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, allowing for limited intercity travel.
A security source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Anadolu that the government has ordered law enforcement agencies to maintain the level of security “until further notice.”
The second round of talks was set to take place this week in Pakistan, but Tehran said it would not attend the huddle until the US ends its “illegal” blockade of Iranian ports.
The US had announced it would send its representatives for the talks, led by Vice President JD Vance.
Washington demands the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which has been lying nearly closed since the US and Israel initiated their attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.
Tehran declared the strait open on Friday but closed it a day later after Trump announced that the blockade of Iranian ports would continue, and on Sunday, the American forces detained one Iranian cargo ship after they opened fire and boarded it.
Pakistan took center stage when it brokered a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran on April 8, followed by critical talks in Islamabad attended by senior delegations from both countries on April 11 and 12. However, neither side was able to reach an agreement to bring the Middle East war to an end.
The ceasefire was set to expire Wednesday, but Trump extended it without giving any new timeframe.
Source: Saudi Gazette