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Thursday, 23 April, 2026 | 5 Dhul-Qadah, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 21 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
PakIsTan Pushes fragIle us–Iran PeaCe TraCk as CeasefIre holds AMID BLOCKADE, DELAYED TALKS
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ISLAMABAD SAYS IT REMAINS ‘CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC’ ON PEACE PROSPECTS
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TRUMP EXTENDS CEASEFIRE CITING PAKISTAN’S MEDIATION EFFORTS
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US DELEGATION POSTPONES VISIT AS DIPLOMATIC UNCERTAINTY DEEPENS
PM, IranIan envoy dIsCuss regIonal sITuaTIon, PeaCe efforTs
IRAN REFUSES CONFIRMATION FOR SECOND ROUND OF TALKS IN ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
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ISLAMABAD
staff report/agenCies
AKISTAN on Wednesday said it remains “cautiously optimistic” about prospects for peace between the United States and Iran, as diplomatic efforts continue amid a fragile ceasefire extension, unresolved disputes over Iran’s maritime blockade, and uncertainty over Tehran’s participation in the next round of negotiations in Islamabad. The evolving diplomatic push comes as talks between Washington and Tehran remain in limbo, with Iran yet to confirm
its participation in a second round of negotiations, while the United States has maintained its blockade of Iranian ports. The White House also confirmed that a US delegation expected in Islamabad for talks would not travel on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced an extension of the ceasefire between the two sides, saying it was made on Pakistan’s insistence. However, despite the announcement, key sticking points remain unresolved, and both diplomatic momentum and mutual trust appear under strain.
India yet to provide evidence on Pahalgam attack after one year, says Tarar ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan on Wednesday said India had still not produced credible evidence for its allegations against Islamabad over the Pahalgam attack, as the first anniversary of the incident was marked. In a special televised statement, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticised New Delhi for not substantiating its claims and said India had also avoided calls for an independent investigation into what he described as a false flag operation. The attack on tourists in Pahalgam, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 people. According to the report, India accused Pakistan of being behind the attack without presenting evidence, an allegation Islamabad denied while also calling for a neutral inquiry. The two countries later went to war in May last year after India launched what the report described as an unprovoked attack on Pakistan following the Pahalgam incident.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday discussed the evolving regional situation with Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam in the backdrop of the extension of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, reaffirming Pakistan’s continued commitment to earnest efforts for a negotiated settlement of the conflict, according to state-run Radio Pakistan. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam called on PM Shehbaz Sharif and exchanged views on the prevailing regional situation following the ceasefire extension between Washington and Tehran. “They discussed the ongoing regional situation and peace efforts during the meeting,” the PMO said. The meeting comes a day after US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran, reportedly at the request of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the truce—set to expire within hours—would remain in ef-
fect until Iran submits a comprehensive proposal and negotiations reach a conclusive outcome. A day earlier, Ambassador Moghadam had also met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, where both sides underscored the need for a sustainable solution through diplomatic engagement and negotiation channels to ease regional tensions.
PAKISTAN TO CONTINUE MEDIATION EFFORTS FOR USIRAN CONFLICT: PM SHEHBAZ: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for accepting Pakistan’s request to extend the ceasefire with Iran.
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UK, Turkiye back Pakistan's mediation role in US-Iran talks
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ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
High Commissioner of United Kingdom Ms Jane Marriott on Wednesday commended Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan, the two sides discussed evolving regional dynamics, with Dar reiterating Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy as the primary means for peaceful conflict resolution. The British envoy acknowledged and supported Pakistan’s facilitative role in bringing Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table, the statement added. Separately, Dar also held a conversation with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, during which both leaders exchanged views on regional developments and reaffirmed the importance of diplomatic engagement in resolving disputes.
Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach has drawn significant international recognition in recent days, as the country positioned itself at the centre of mediation efforts during the escalating US-Iran-Israel tensions. Senior officials and influential voices from more than ten countries — including Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Bahrain and Uzbekistan — have publicly acknowledged Islamabad’s role. Pakistan has emerged as a key facilitator, positioning itself as an “honest broker” amid sharply polarised positions between Washington and Tehran. Following 40 days of airstrikes, US and Iranian negotiators initiated talks in Islamabad earlier this month after a two-week ceasefire brokered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The ceasefire was later extended after US President Donald Trump announced its continuation at the request of the Pakistani leadership, including Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir. During the latest round of talks in Islamabad, the US reportedly proposed a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear activities, while Iran suggested a shorter pause of three to five years, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Iran lauds Pakistan’s mediation but keeps firm stance as ceasefire talks face uncertainty TEHRAN
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Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei on Wednesday said the Islamic Republic appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to end the Middle East war, while declining to comment on a ceasefire extension announced by the United States. He made these remarks while responding to media questions, according to a statement issued by Iran’s Foreign Ministry, which noted that Baqaei was asked about Pakistan’s request to extend a ceasefire agreed between Tehran and Washington on April 8. The statement said that while “expressing gratitude for Pakistan’s gracious efforts and mediation attempts to end the imposed war and establish peace in the region,” Baqaei stressed that Tehran was “taking the necessary measures to safeguard Iran’s national interests and security.” He added that Iran’s armed forces remained “ready to comprehensively and decisively defend the nation’s integrity against any threat or hostility.” When asked about the possibility of a second round of talks with the United States, Baqaei said diplomacy remained a tool to secure national interests and would be used only when “necessary and logical groundwork” was in place.
President Zardari's China visit signals strategic reset in strategic ties
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ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
President Asif Ali Zardari is set to embark on a key visit to China from April 25 to 30, where he will engage in high-level talks with the Chinese leadership aimed at deepening cooperation across economic, defence and strategic domains. According to diplomatic sources, the visit will focus on advancing flagship bilateral initiatives and strengthening frameworks for economic and defence collaboration, as both countries seek to further consolidate their longstanding “all-weather strategic partnership.” Beyond meetings in traditional power centres, President Zardari is also expected to visit Changsha and Sanya, underscoring what officials describe as a broader and more diversified engagement with China. Officials familiar with the agenda said discussions will review progress on ongoing bilateral projects while exploring new opportunities in trade, infrastructure and development cooperation. The emphasis, they noted, remains on strengthening longterm strategic alignment between Islamabad and Beijing. The visit comes amid shifting regional dynamics, with both countries aiming to enhance coordination on economic connectivity, development and regional stability. This will be President Zardari’s second visit to China in recent times, following his February 2025 trip during which he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
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