ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday talked with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over phone during which both the leaders discussed the current highly volatile situation in the region and emphasized the need for dialogue and diplomacy to bring lasting peace in the war-ravaged region.
During the warm and cordial conversation that lasted for around forty-five minutes, Shehbaz apprised the Iranian president about his own recent engagements with a number of world leaders, including the leadership of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye.
He said these interactions were most helpful in building a consensus in support of a sustained process of dialogue and diplomacy, aimed at bringing lasting peace to the war-ravaged region.
The prime minister also thanked the Iranian leadership for their constructive conversations with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during the latter’s visit to Tehran this week.
The prime minister reaffirmed that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan would remain fully committed to its honest and sincere efforts to advance regional peace and security. He also conveyed his respectful regards for the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
President Pezeshkian thanked the prime minister and Field Marshal Asim Munir for Pakistan’s strong commitment to the success of peace efforts, while affirming that relations between Iran and Pakistan would continue to grow stronger in the days ahead.
In a closely related development, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday emphasized the need for continued dialogue and engagement to resolving the current issues as soon as possible for promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond, APP reports.
Dar spoke with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and also concurred on a phone call between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Dar also talked to the foreign ministers of Canada, Egypt and Poland and discussed the key current developments in the regional situation.
During his conversation with Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand, the ongoing regional developments came under review. Anand appreciated and expressed support for Pakistan’s continued efforts to advance sustained dialogue and constructive engagement between the parties. Both sides expressed hope for lasting peace and a durable ceasefire across the region, including in Lebanon, while reaffirming their commitment to broader stability and cooperation.
During Dar’s conversation with the Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, key current developments in the region, including the situation in the Gaza Strip, came under discussion. Dar emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing all issues, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to promoting peace, stability and constructive engagement. Both leaders expressed hope for a successful next round of talks between Iran and the United States for achieving durable peace in the region and beyond, and agreed to remain in contact, says the Foreign Office of Pakistan in a brief statement.
Dar emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing all issues, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to promoting peace, stability, and constructive engagement. Both leaders expressed the hope for a successful next round of talks between Iran and the United States for achieving durable peace in the region and beyond and agreed to remain in contact.
Several foreign missions in Islamabad on Sunday night announced the suspension of operations, citing traffic restrictions imposed across the capital city as part of heightened security arrangements ahead of the next round of US-Iran peace negotiations, Jamila Achakzai reports.
“Due to the road closures in Islamabad in view of the US-Iran negotiations, the Visa Section of German Embassy will remain closed from tomorrow, April 20, 2026, until at least April 21, 2026,” German Ambassador to Pakistan Ina Lepel said in a message on X (formerly Twitter).
She advised applicants not to visit the Visa Section during the period and said all scheduled appointments would be rescheduled. However, no specific date was announced for the resumption of visa services at the embassy.
Also, the Embassy of Spain announced via X that its consular section would remain closed today (Monday), citing possible mobility restrictions. It added that visa applicants with scheduled appointments would be contacted to arrange new priority slots. “We will monitor the situation and reschedule further appointments if needed,” the embassy declared.
Also, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Timothy Kane announced that the High Commission in Islamabad would remain closed on April 20 and 21 and would reopen on April 22 (Wednesday). However, he didn’t specify the reason for the closure in his post.
Meanwhile, an advance delegation from the United States arrived at the Nur Khan Airbase, Islamabad, on Sunday amid a massive security lockdown as Pakistan prepares to facilitate a second round of high-stakes peace talks between Washington and Tehran, reports Shakeel Anjum.
Sources in the security echelon told The News that the delegation is being protected by a formidable force of over 10,000 personnel, including 4,000 Rangers and various paramilitary units mobilised from multiple provinces. This arrival follows an announcement by US President Donald Trump on Sunday evening that his official representatives are scheduled to reach the capital by Monday to negotiate a “fair and reasonable deal” to end the ongoing conflict.
In anticipation of these high-level arrivals, the Islamabad district administration has enforced a total seal of the Red Zone and several critical arteries. The security protocol, which includes snipers positioned on rooftops and over 600 checkpoints across the twin cities, is being implemented.
The authorities have implemented a comprehensive traffic diversion plan. The Islamabad Expressway is currently closed from Koral Chowk to Zero Point, and the Srinagar Highway is subject to periodic suspensions based on the movement of official motorcades.
Heavy traffic is strictly prohibited from entering the capital, with vehicles traveling between Peshawar and Lahore being diverted through Taxila and the motorway via the Chakri Interchange. Residents in the central G and F sectors are advised to utilise Margalla Road and 9th Avenue for travel to Rawalpindi, as Faisal Avenue and other primary routes remain heavily restricted.
Furthermore, all public and private transport within the immediate vicinity of the Diplomatic Enclave and Nur Khan Airbase has been suspended. Local businesses, including restaurants and markets near sensitive zones, have been ordered to close until further notice to ensure a “foolproof” security environment for the visiting delegations.
The district administration has officially suspended all public and heavy transport operations throughout the federal capital as part of a heightened security protocol. According to a statement released by district officials, the suspension applies to all forms of public transit and commercial heavy vehicles and will remain in effect until further notice. The administration clarified that these restrictions are mandatory and will only be lifted once new directives are issued by the relevant authorities.
In light of these measures, the government has urged the general public to extend their full cooperation to security agencies to ensure the safety of the capital and effective implementation of these arrangements.
While the administration did not provide a specific timeline for the restoration of services, officials emphasised that the move is a necessary precaution to maintain order. Commuters and transport operators are advised to stay informed through official channels for any subsequent updates regarding the resumption of transport activities.
