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Islamabad appeared largely deserted Saturday as Pakistan sealed roads and urged residents to stay indoors ahead of high-stakes talks between senior U.S. and Iranian officials aimed at ending their nearly six-week war.
Pakistani authorities also put in place special arrangements for visiting delegations and the international media covering what have been dubbed the "Islamabad talks."
The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, arrived in Islamabad on Saturday for the talks, according to Pakistani authorities, while the Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, had already arrived late Friday.
The meetings come as Pakistan seeks to facilitate efforts toward what it described as a lasting and durable resolution to the conflict.
The streets of Pakistan's usually busy capital were largely empty on Saturday as security forces blocked roads ahead of the talks.
Authorities urged residents of Islamabad to remain indoors, giving the city an appearance described as resembling a curfew.
The security lockdown came as Pakistan prepared to host top-level negotiations between the U.S. and Iran aimed at moving from a temporary halt in fighting toward a more lasting settlement.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the conflict was entering a difficult phase as the two sides try to shift from a temporary pause in the war to a more permanent resolution.
He said the moment was "make-or-break."
U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Islamabad on Saturday for the ceasefire talks.
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi received the U.S. delegation led by Vance.
The U.S. delegation also includes President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Before departing for Pakistan, Vance warned Iran not to "play" the U.S.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said Dar commended the U.S. commitment to achieving lasting regional and global peace and stability.
The ministry added that Dar expressed hope the parties would engage constructively and reiterated Pakistan's desire to continue facilitating efforts toward a lasting and durable resolution to the conflict.
The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, arrived in Islamabad late Friday.
Tasnim news agency, described as close to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, reported that the Iranian delegation was scheduled to meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at noon on Saturday.
Iran's negotiating team also includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
According to the report, the Iranian delegation met late Friday with Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, ahead of the talks with the U.S.
The meetings took place before what were described as high-stakes negotiations in Islamabad aimed at reaching a permanent end to the war in the Middle East.
Hours after Vance's warning before departure, Qalibaf said discussions would only take place if there were an Israeli ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of blocked Iranian assets.
Pakistan's government also set up what Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described as a state-of-the-art media center for Pakistani and foreign journalists covering the talks.
Tarar told reporters that the facility at the Jinnah Convention Center offers high-speed internet and a range of free services to support media coverage.
He said shuttle services had been arranged to transport journalists between the media center and a hotel in the city's main shopping mall.
Pakistan had already announced visa-on-arrival for journalists and official delegations traveling from the U.S. and Iran for the talks.
Inside the media center, rows of workstations equipped with laptops and charging points were made available for reporters filing stories.
Large screens broadcast major domestic and international television channels, while separate areas were designated for live stand-ups, press briefings, and interviews.
The latest developments come as Pakistan continues to position itself as a facilitator in efforts to end the conflict.
Pakistani officials said they hoped both sides would engage constructively in Islamabad as the negotiations move forward.
With both delegations in the capital, heightened security, restricted movement across the city, and dedicated arrangements for international media underscored the significance Pakistan attached to the talks and to efforts to turn the current pause in fighting into a lasting settlement.
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