ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to extend their two-week ceasefire, stressing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to sustain regional peace and stability.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar made the appeal during a meeting with US Charge d’Affaires Natalie A Baker, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office. During the meeting, DPM Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s consistent stance that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving ongoing challenges and ensuring lasting peace in the region.
He further highlighted the need for continued engagement between Washington and Tehran, urging both sides to seriously consider extending the current ceasefire arrangement. The US Charge d’Affaires conveyed Washington’s appreciation for Pakistan’s “constructive and positive role” in promoting regional peace and facilitating dialogue.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier mediated the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, following six weeks of conflict in the Middle East. He also extended invitations to delegations from both countries to visit Islamabad for talks aimed at resolving their disputes.
However, the first round of negotiations, which lasted around 21 hours, ended without any agreement as both sides remained divided over key issues, including Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of US sanctions on Tehran.
The conflict in the Middle East escalated on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched a joint bombing campaign against Iran. The situation further intensified as Iran responded by blocking the Strait of Hormuz and launching attacks on Israeli territory as well as US military bases across the region.
The call for extending the ceasefire comes as Islamabad continues preparations to host the second round of US-Iran talks. While Washington has confirmed its delegation, reportedly led by Vice President JD Vance, will soon arrive in Islamabad, Tehran has not yet confirmed its participation.
According to Axios, the US delegation may also include Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. Meanwhile, Iranian state media has denied reports suggesting that any Iranian delegation has already departed for Pakistan, stating that no such travel has taken place.
US President Donald Trump, speaking to Bloomberg, said the truce would expire on Wednesday evening (Washington time). In another interview with CNBC, he stated that he does not want to extend the ceasefire, arguing that the US is in a strong negotiating position and will ultimately secure what he described as a “great deal.”
Separately, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan remains in constant contact with Iran and is actively pursuing diplomacy and dialogue. He confirmed that formal confirmation from the Iranian side regarding participation in the Islamabad peace talks is still awaited.
Tarar further noted that the ceasefire between the two sides is set to expire at 4:50am Pakistan Time on Wednesday (April 22), stressing that Iran’s decision to attend the talks before the deadline is critical.
He added that Pakistan has made “sincere efforts to convince the Iranian leadership” to join the second round of negotiations and reaffirmed that Islamabad will continue its efforts to bring both sides back to the negotiating table.