Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged that his government will “do its best for the success” of the rare direct talks between the United States and Iran scheduled to begin on Saturday in Islamabad, as diplomatic efforts intensify to end weeks of conflict that have disrupted energy supplies, trade, and daily life across the Middle East.
Speaking in a televised address to the nation on Friday, Sharif described the upcoming negotiations as a critical and delicate turning point, stressing that the outcome could determine whether the region moves toward lasting peace or further instability.
“Tomorrow, the leadership of both countries (the US and Iran) will be in Islamabad on our sincere invitation to hold talks. Pakistan will do its best for the success of the talks, which is a tough task. The result is in Allah’s hand,” the prime minister said.
He further characterized the discussions as a “make-or-break” moment for efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire, emphasizing the urgency of preventing further escalation in a region already strained by months of military confrontation.
Sharif also thanked both Washington and Tehran for agreeing to a temporary two-week ceasefire brokered earlier in the week with Pakistan’s mediation support. He said the agreement represented an important breakthrough and urged continued cooperation to build on it.
Calling on citizens to support the process spiritually and emotionally, the Pakistani leader appealed for national prayers for the success of the talks, saying a breakthrough would “save thousands of lives.”
Pakistan has played a central diplomatic role alongside Türkiye, China, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt in facilitating the ceasefire agreement announced on Wednesday. The truce came 39 days after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering a cycle of retaliation and deepening regional instability.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, both the United States and Iran agreed to engage in direct talks in Islamabad aimed at negotiating a broader and more durable peace framework. The negotiations are expected to address key issues including military de-escalation, regional security arrangements, sanctions, and freedom of navigation in strategic waterways.
The talks are being closely watched by the international community, as they represent one of the most significant diplomatic engagements between Washington and Tehran in decades. Analysts say the choice of Islamabad as the venue underscores Pakistan’s growing role as a mediator in regional conflicts.
High-level delegations from both countries are expected to participate in the discussions. US Vice President JD Vance departed Washington on Friday aboard Air Force Two and is leading the American delegation. He is joined by senior officials, including US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner, both of whom have been involved in earlier rounds of indirect diplomacy with Iran.
On the Iranian side, officials say the delegation is expected to be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior diplomatic figures. The Iranian team is anticipated to arrive in Islamabad late Friday, according to Pakistani diplomatic sources.
While both sides have expressed cautious optimism, significant disagreements remain over the conditions for a lasting agreement. Iran has reportedly insisted on guarantees against renewed military aggression, sanctions relief, and recognition of its regional security concerns. The United States, meanwhile, is expected to press for limits on Iran’s military activities and nuclear program as part of any long-term settlement.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan has framed the talks as a vital opportunity to prevent further escalation in a conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives and destabilized key parts of the Middle East.
With global attention focused on Islamabad, expectations remain cautiously high that the negotiations could pave the way for a broader diplomatic breakthrough—though officials on all sides have warned that the process will be complex and uncertain.
