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PM hopes to host Islamabad Talks 2.0 ‘very soon’
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Conflict & Security

PM hopes to host Islamabad Talks 2.0 ‘very soon’

From Dawn · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope for a new round of US-Iran peace talks to be held in Islamabad soon.
  • Insiders suggest the PM received "serious indications" for delegation-level talks during his visit to China.
  • However, conflicting reports from within the Prime Minister's Office indicate no immediate preparations are underway for such a high-level meeting.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has voiced optimism about hosting a new round of US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad "very soon," following indications that Tehran and Washington may be nearing an understanding to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Prime Minister's hope stems from what sources close to him describe as "serious indications" received during his recent four-day visit to China.

These indications suggest that Pakistan's capital could once again serve as the venue for delegation-level discussions between the warring parties. Islamabad previously hosted the initial round of indirect talks in April, which involved U.S. Vice President JD Vance meeting with Iranian officials.

Pakistan will continue its peace efforts with utmost sincerity and we hope to host the next round of talks very soon.

— Prime Minister Shehbaz SharifThe Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's commitment to peace efforts.

However, the prospect of immediate talks faces uncertainty. A senior official from the Prime Minister's Office stated that no such indications have been received and that "no such arrangements are being made here." This source suggested that the next round of dialogue is unlikely to occur very soon, contradicting the more hopeful outlook presented by others.

Despite the conflicting reports, Prime Minister Sharif remains committed to Pakistan's role in facilitating peace. He congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on his peace efforts and a "very useful and productive" phone call with several world leaders, including Pakistan. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir represented Pakistan in that call. Sharif affirmed Pakistan's continued sincerity in peace efforts and expressed hope to host the next round of talks. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also lauded the U.S. president's leadership, calling the call a "significant step closer toward the shared objective of regional peace, stability, and an early diplomatic outcome."

the call marked a “significant step closer toward the shared objective of regional peace, stability, and an early diplomatic outcome.

— Ishaq DarDeputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar commented on the US president's call.
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Originally published by Dawn. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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