PM Shehbaz expresses hope Islamabad Talks would serve as stepping stone towards durable peace
ISLAMABAD
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said that peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad may extend beyond Saturday if the ongoing engagement remains positive, as Pakistan steps up efforts to bring a permanent end to the six-week war in the Middle East.
Delegations from Tehran and Washington are holding negotiations at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who facilitated a two-week ceasefire between the two sides on April 8.
In a statement, the law minister highlighted the complexity of the situation, saying that there had been tensions between the two countries for 47 years, making quick resolution unlikely.
He added that such longstanding disputes cannot be settled in brief sessions lasting just a few hours.
Both parties were maintaining contact with their respective governments throughout the process, he said, adding that neither side would finalise any agreement without prior consultation with their leadership.
The law minister said that the talks were initially scheduled for April 10 with an expectation that discussions would span a single day.
US and Iran engaged in the negotiations after PM Shehbaz met delegations from Tehran and Washington in the federal capital as Islamabad Talks formally commenced.
US Vice President JD Vance-led delegation included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, while the prime minister was assisted by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Senator Mohsin Raza Naqvi.
Commending the commitment of both delegations to engage constructively, the prime minister expressed hope that the talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region.
