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Sunday, 12 April, 2026 | 23 Shawwal, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 17 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
US–IRAN ‘FACE-TO-FACE TALKS’ ENTER EXPERT LEVEL AS HOPES RISE FOR BREAKTHROUGH Two-week ceasefire in middle easT
g THREE-WAY ENGAGEMENT CONTINUES
UNDER PAKISTAN’S MEDIATION LATE NIGHT IN RARE ISLAMABAD DIPLOMATIC BREAKTHROUGH
g TWO ROUNDS COMPLETED
g WHITE HOUSE CONFIRMS TRILATERAL
AFTER MORE THAN FIVE HOURS OF TALKS, WITH EXPERTS EXCHANGE WRITTEN PROPOSALS
NEGOTIATIONS AS TECHNICAL COMMITTEES REVIEW ECONOMIC, NUCLEAR, LEGAL AND MILITARY ISSUES
islamabad, rawalpindi locked down as high-stakes talks begin ISLAMABAD
raja Kashif ashfaq
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saleeM jadoon / agencies
HAT is being described as “three-way and face-toface” direct negotiations between the United States and Iran continued late into Saturday after more than five hours of talks, with expert teams from both sides exchanging written texts. A third round is
expected as the two sides attempt to find common ground under Pakistan’s mediation for a permanent end to war in the Middle East, Iranian state television and PTV News reported. The high-level discussions, held at Islamabad’s Serena Hotel, mark a rare faceto-face engagement between Washington and Tehran after years of indirect diplomacy conducted through intermediaries.
Bilawal calls US-Iran talks 'major breakthrough' toward peace ISLAMABAD agencies
Former foreign minister and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has described the ongoing US-Iran talks in Islamabad as the “biggest achievement so far” in efforts to end the conflict in the Middle East. Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Bilawal emphasised that the mere occurrence of negotiations between the two sides marks significant progress, following Pakistan’s role in brokering a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. “The fact that these talks are taking place is itself a major success,” he said, noting that the cessation of hostilities across much of the region and the initiation of dialogue between the two key powers were encouraging signs. He expressed hope that the current truce would pave the way for a durable and lasting resolution. Bilawal remarked that people in Pakistan and around the world were observing the developments with “cautious optimism,” highlighting both the human and economic toll of the conflict over recent weeks. Addressing questions about the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the broader geopolitical stakes, he acknowledged the complexity of balancing interests among multiple stakeholders, including Iran, the United States, Gulf nations, and China. He credited a range of countries for helping create the diplomatic conditions necessary for the ceasefire, including Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, Qatar, and other Gulf Cooperation Council members. He also thanked the leadership of both Iran and the United States for agreeing to halt hostilities and engage in dialogue.
Authorities imposed sweeping security measures across Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Saturday, effectively placing the twin cities under lockdown as crucial negotiations between the United States and Iran commenced. The high-security Red Zone in Islamabad was completely sealed, with containers and barbed wire blocking all entry and exit points. A heavy deployment of police, paramilitary Rangers, and military personnel was seen guarding key government installations, including the Prime Minister’s House, the Presidency, and diplomatic enclaves.
Shehbaz-Vance meeting signals high-stakes push for peace ISLAMABAD
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ISLAMABAD
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Mian abrar
Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its commitment to fully support Pakistan financially during challenging economic times. The assurance came during a high-level visit by the Saudi Finance Minister, signaling stronger bilateral ties and expanded cooperation. Saudi Arabia has assured Pakistan of full financial backing, expressing determination to help the country navigate its difficult economic situation. The commitment was made during the one-day visit of Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan to Pakistan, where key discussions focused on financial assistance and
long-term cooperation. According to the Ministry of Finance, discussions included increasing loans, extending credit lines, and enhancing oil financing facilities. Pakistan requested a $5
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Finance Minister Aurangzeb departs to attend WBG-IMF spring meetings ISLAMABAD
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volving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which has disrupted energy supplies and heightened concerns of broader regional escalation. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a long history of defence cooperation, with Islamabad providing military training and advisory support to the Kingdom, while Riyadh has extended financial assistance to Pakistan during periods of economic stress. The development came a day after Saudi Arabia assured Pakistan of full financial support to address challenges arising from the regional conflict, during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan on Friday. According to officials, the
Saudi finance minister reaffirmed his country’s full financial backing for Pakistan and reiterated Riyadh’s confidence in Islamabad’s role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran. Saudi Arabia, a key US ally and major oil producer, has sought to avoid direct military escalation despite attacks on energy infrastructure, while maintaining close security coordination with its strategic partners, including Pakistan. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a longstanding strategic relationship spanning defence, energy, and economic cooperation, and regularly conduct joint military exercises and coordinate on regional security matters.
Saudi Arabia assures full financial support to Pakistan, including loan oil ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to facilitating dialogue as high-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran, dubbed the “Islamabad Talks,” formally commenced in the federal capital. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Iranian delegation was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and accompanied by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. On the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi were present.
pakistan deploys air contingent to saudi base as defence ties deepen under strategic pact Pakistan has deployed a military air contingent to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Air Base to enhance joint operational readiness under the bilateral defence framework, the Saudi Defence Ministry said on Saturday. In a statement, the ministry confirmed that Pakistani fighter jets and support aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) have arrived at the air base in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. It said the Pakistani contingent comprises fighter and support aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force, aimed at strengthening joint military coordination between the two countries. The deployment, it added, would enhance operational readiness of the armed forces and contribute to regional and international security and stability. In September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement,” under which “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.” The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The latest deployment comes amid ongoing instability in the Middle East following conflict in-
pakistan reaffirms mediatory role as pm meets iranian delegation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday met US Vice President JD Vance, along with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, at the Prime Minister’s Office as Pakistan hosts high-level negotiations between Washington and Tehran. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier was joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during the meeting. The prime minister appreciated the willingness of both delegations to engage in dialogue and expressed hope that the ongoing talks would serve as a stepping stone toward lasting peace in the region.
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‘EXPERT-LEVEL STAGE,’ WITH ECONOMIC, MILITARY, LEGAL, AND NUCLEAR COMMITTEES PARTICIPATING
g STRAIT OF HORMUZ EMERGES AS KEY STICKING POINT IN
US–PAKISTAN–IRAN FORMAT TALKS, CHARACTERIZING IT AS ‘THREE-WAY AND FACE-TO-FACE’
ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN/WASHINGTON
g TEHRAN CONFIRMS TALKS REACHED
billion loan and an extension of the oil financing facility, with a proposal also under consideration to extend the oil facility for another five years. Officials noted that Pakistan
is currently under pressure to repay approximately $4.8 billion in debt this month. A Eurobond worth $1.4 billion has already been repaid. In this situation, further financial assistance is considered essential to maintain the country’s foreign exchange reserves and economic stability. Both countries agreed to further enhance cooperation in trade, investment, and the broader economy. The discussions reaffirmed strong, brotherly relations and a shared commitment to deepen economic ties. The visit was described by the Ministry of Finance as a clear indication of strengthening partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, here on Satuday departed for the United States to participate in the World Bank Group–IMF Spring Meetings 2026, scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C. from April 13 to 18. Prior to the formal Spring Meetings, the Finance Minister will visit Boston to attend the Pakistan Conference at Harvard University, where he will engage with leading academics, policymakers, and members of the Pakistani diaspora, and share Pakistan’s economic outlook, reform trajectory, and growth prospects. During his visit, the Finance Minister will represent Pakistan at important events organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, and will participate in a wide range of multilateral and bilateral engagements with global financial leaders, development partners, and policymakers. On the sidelines of the Spring Meetings, the Finance Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with senior leadership of international financial institutions, including Ms. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director (Operations), World Bank Group; Makhtar Diop, Managing Director, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Tsutomu Yamamoto, Managing Director, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). He will also meet senior IMF leadership, including Dan Katz, First Deputy Managing Director, Nigel Clarke, Deputy Managing Director of the IMF and Jihad Azour, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the IMF to discuss Pakistan’s macroeconomic outlook, reform progress, and future cooperation.