Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi addresses a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday. — SCREEN GRAB
ISLAMABAD:
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday assured US Charge d’Affaires to Pakistan Natalie Baker of foolproof security ahead of the arrival of high-ranking foreign delegations in Islamabad on Friday for the US-Iran ceasefire talks.
The meeting came a day after Pakistan brokered a US ceasefire for two weeks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Iran and the United States, along with their allies, had agreed to an immediate ceasefire ‘everywhere, including Lebanon’, with immediate effect. He invited delegations from both nations to Islamabad on April 10 to negotiate a final settlement.
Later, the White House announced that US President Donald Trump is sending Vice President JD Vance and other negotiators to Islamabad for talks with Iran starting on Saturday. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi would represent Tehran.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior on X today, Natalie met with Naqvi, where both discussed the upcoming talks and the situation in the Middle East. “We have made extensive arrangements to ensure foolproof security for all international guests attending these crucial negotiations,” he said.
Naqvi said US Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner would attend as special guests.
The statement further added that Natalie expressed her appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts in brokering the peace talks.
In view of security measures, the administration of the twin cities had already announced a two-day public holiday on April 9 and 10, during which all educational institutions and government offices would remain closed.
Islamabad Police issued a traffic diversion plan for April 9 and 10 due to the movement of foreign delegations.
It further added that diversions would be implemented on the Express Highway and citizens were advised to plan their journey with extra time to avoid inconvenience.
