Islamabad, Apr 22 (PTI) Pakistan on Wednesday intensified its efforts to bring the US and Iran back to the negotiating table to end the war in West Asia after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely.
Trump announced that he was extending the ceasefire at the request of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Following the necessary space provided by the truce, PM Shehbaz received Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam and “discussed the ongoing regional situation and peace efforts.” A day earlier, Moghadam had met with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Both sides emphasised the need for a sustainable solution through diplomatic and negotiation channels to reduce regional tensions.
Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and exchanged views on the latest regional developments.
Both leaders “reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in peaceful settlement of disputes,” according to the foreign office.
Dar, who is also Foreign Minister, received British High Commissioner Jane Marriott at his office, and they “discussed the evolving regional situation”.
He underscored Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to facilitate engagement and emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in the peaceful resolution of disputes.
The British High Commissioner appreciated and supported Pakistan’s facilitative role in bringing the US and Iran to the negotiating table.
The meeting continued despite uncertainty about the talks, indicating that Pakistan was still confident in arranging the dialogue.
Meanwhile, Islamabad’s Red Zone, where government buildings and offices are located, was under strict security. The area remained sealed to the general public on Wednesday, but other routes, sealed earlier, were opened. The army was patrolling the area.
Pakistan has taken elaborate security measures, including deploying more than 10,000 security personnel, in preparation for the proposed talks.
The first round of US-Iran talks held on April 11 and 12 failed to produce a breakthrough, prompting a flurry of diplomatic efforts by host Pakistan to cool tensions and revive hopes for another round of dialogue.
The Iran war began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Pakistan emerged as a central facilitator in the sensitive diplomatic track, positioning itself as a mediator amid sharply polarised positions between Washington and Tehran. PTI SH ZH ZH
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.