Pakistan awaits Iran's confirmation for Islamabad Talks, pushes ahead with diplomatic efforts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday said it was still awaiting a formal response from Iran regarding participation in the next round of Islamabad peace talks while reaffirming its commitment to continued diplomatic engagement to de-escalate tensions.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan, in its role as mediator, remained in constant contact with Iranian authorities and was actively pursuing dialogue as the preferred path forward.

“Pakistan as the mediator is in constant touch with Iranians and pursuing the path of diplomacy and dialogue,” the minister said in a statement, adding that Islamabad had made “sincere efforts” to persuade Tehran to join the second round of negotiations.

He stressed that Iran’s decision was “critical,” particularly as the ceasefire deadline approaches. The current truce is set to expire early on April 22, raising concerns about a potential escalation if diplomatic progress is not achieved in time.

Pakistan has been at the forefront of mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, hosting the first round of high-level talks in Islamabad earlier this month. While those discussions ended without a formal agreement, both sides signalled willingness to continue negotiations.

Officials say Islamabad is continuing backchannel diplomacy to secure participation from all sides and maintain momentum towards a negotiated settlement. The government has reiterated that dialogue remains the only viable path to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.