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Pakistan said Friday it would issue visas on arrival for all delegates and journalists traveling to Islamabad for talks this weekend on the Iran-U.S. ceasefire, as the capital prepared to host the negotiations under heightened security.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in a post on X that Pakistan welcomed all delegates, including journalists, from participating nations traveling in relation to the Islamabad Talks 2026.
He said all airlines had been requested to permit boarding for such individuals without a visa and that immigration authorities in Pakistan would issue them visas on arrival.
Pakistan said the visa-on-arrival measure would apply to those traveling to Islamabad for the talks, signaling interest from the world’s media in the event.
In his post on X, Dar wrote: “Pakistan welcomes all delegates including journalists from participating nations, traveling in relation to Islamabad Talks 2026. To this end, all airlines are requested to permit boarding to all such individuals without Visa. Immigration authorities in Pakistan will issue them Visa on Arrival.”
The announcement came ahead of talks scheduled for the weekend in Islamabad on the Iran-U.S. ceasefire.
Pakistan’s capital was preparing to host the talks on Saturday following a six-week war that has left thousands dead across the Middle East.
The main avenue leading to the Red Zone, where key government buildings are located in Islamabad, was blocked, and military personnel were heavily deployed across the city.
Roads in the area were dotted with checkpoints, and traffic was minimal after a public holiday was declared Friday.
The Serena Hotel, one of the city’s most prominent hotels, will serve as the venue for the talks. The hotel is situated in the Red Zone adjacent to the Foreign Ministry headquarters.
Security officials have taken over the premises entirely, and guests were asked to leave.
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan posted on X on Thursday that the Iranian delegation was expected to arrive that night. The post said the delegation was expected to be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and joined by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The ambassador later deleted the post, and the delegation is now expected to arrive later Friday.
The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, is also expected in Islamabad later Friday evening, alongside Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, the two men who previously led negotiations with Iran before the war broke out.
Pakistan said the delegates and journalists traveling in relation to Islamabad Talks 2026 would be allowed to board flights without visas and receive visas on arrival from immigration authorities upon reaching the country.
The announcement was made as Islamabad braced for the talks, with access routes restricted, security tightened around the venue and delegations expected to arrive in the capital ahead of the weekend meeting.
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