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Islamabad welcomes US ceasefire extension, eyes breakthrough in Iran talks

Islamabad: Pakistan welcomes the extension of the Iran ceasefire, expressing hopes that ongoing diplomatic efforts in Islamabad will lead to a broader peace agreement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a post on X.

The PM said the move came after a request from Islamabad and thanked US President Donald Trump for agreeing to extend the ceasefire to allow negotiations to continue.

“On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course,” he said.

He added that Pakistan would continue efforts to support a negotiated settlement of the conflict, expressing confidence in the process.

“With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for negotiated settlement of conflict,” Sharif said.

The prime minister said he hoped both sides would observe the ceasefire and move towards a “comprehensive peace deal” during the second round of talks in Islamabad.

“I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to observe the ceasefire and be able to conclude a comprehensive ‘peace deal’ during the second round of talks scheduled in Islamabad for a permanent end to the conflict,” he added.

US President Donald Trump extended the Iran ceasefire hours before it was due to expire, saying the move was made at Pakistan’s request to allow diplomatic efforts to continue and to give Tehran time to prepare a unified proposal.

In a post on social media, Trump said the ceasefire, which began two weeks ago, would remain in place until Iran submits its proposal and discussions are concluded.

He said US forces would remain on standby while maintaining pressure, including a naval blockade of Iran’s ports, which Tehran has described as an act of war.

The extension comes as Islamabad prepares to host a second round of talks between the two sides, with Washington confirming a delegation led by Vice President JD Vance will soon travel to Pakistan. Tehran has said it has yet to decide on 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. At the same time, Iranian state media has denied reports that any delegation has departed for Pakistan.

The first round of talks, lasting around 21 hours, failed to produce an agreement as the two sides remained divided over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, the Strait of Hormuz, and US sanctions.

The conflict began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched a joint bombing campaign against Iran, escalating into wider hostilities across the region, including Iranian moves in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on US and Israeli positions.

The ceasefire was first brokered on April 8 following mediation by Pakistan, which also invited both sides to Islamabad for negotiations.

However, US President Donald Trump earlier told Bloomberg the truce would expire on Wednesday evening Washington time, and in a separate interview with CNBC, said he was reluctant to extend it, arguing the US remained in a strong negotiating position.

US, Iran urged to give ‘dialogue, diplomacy a chance’

Earlier, Pakistan urged the warring sides to extend their two-week ceasefire, emphasising the need for dialogue and diplomacy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar made the call 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 underscored Pakistan’s consistent emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable means to address ongoing challenges and achieve lasting regional peace and stability, the FO said.

DPM Dar stressed the “need for engagement” between Washington and Tehran, urging both sides to consider extending the ceasefire.

Baker conveyed Washington’s appreciation for Pakistan’s constructive and positive role in promoting regional peace and facilitating dialogue.

Separately, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that Pakistan was in constant touch with Iran and pursuing the path of diplomacy and dialogue.

“Formal response from the Iranian side about confirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited,” he wrote in a post on X.

Tarar noted that the ceasefire between the two sides is set to end at 4:50am (Pakistan Time) on Wednesday (April 22), saying that a decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of the ceasefire was critical.

Pakistan made “sincere efforts to convince the Iranian leadership” to participate in the second round of talks, he said, vowing that Islamabad would continue its efforts to bring Iran back to the table.

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Water supply in parts of Karachi to remain suspended for two days: KWSC

KARACHI: The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) on Friday announced that water supply in parts of the port city would remain suspended for two days starting Saturday due to work at the Dhabeji Pumping Station.

In a statement, a KWSC spokesperson said the supply would be temporarily suspended to connect a newly constructed line with the existing network at the Dhabeji Pumping Station.

As per the new schedule issued by the water distribution body, nine of the pumps at the station will remain shut for 48 hours, the spokesperson added.

Work at the pumping station will begin at 12 noon on April 25, the official said, adding that seven out of nine pumps will resume operations on April 27.

The remaining two pumps will be shut for another five days, the official added.

The spokesperson said that water supply to parts of Karachi would remain temporarily suspended during the period due to disruption from K2 and K3.

Water supply in North Karachi, Surjani, Scheme 33, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Saddar, Landhi, Korangi and Chanesar Town would remain suspended for 48 hours, the spokesperson added.

Hydrants in Nipa, Safoora and Sakhi Hassan will also remain closed due to maintenance, the spokesperson added.

Due to the closure, the city will face a shortage of about 250 million gallons of water per day, the official said, adding that Karachi is supplied with around 650 million gallons daily.

KWSC urged residents of the affected areas to use water efficiently during the work, the spokesperson added.

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Islamabad police issue updated traffic plan ahead of potential US-Iran talks

Islamabad: Traffic Police (ITP) has issued a special traffic plan for the federal capital, with complete closure of the Red Zone and extended Red Zone, along with suspension of traffic on Islamabad Expressway from Korral to Zero Point.

According to the advisory, traffic on the Srinagar Highway may also be stopped at different times due to security arrangements.

The advisory comes amid Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s expected arrival in Islamabad on Friday night, without providing details about who he was likely to meet.

Iranian state media reported that Araghchi will depart on Friday (today) for a tri-nation tour that includes visits to Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow.

“The purpose of this visit is to hold bilateral consultations and discuss current developments in the region, as well as the latest situation in the war imposed by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran,” the state news agency IRNA said.

Meanwhile, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will head to Pakistan on Saturday for a new round of talks with Iran on ending the war, the White House said.

“I can confirm Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Friday.

Leavitt said that Vance remained ready to fly to Pakistan but will not for now. “Everyone will be on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary,” she said.

Islamabad has been gearing up for an anticipated second round of talks between the United States and Iran. The talks would come more than two weeks after Vice President JD Vance held the first round of talks with Iranian representatives in Pakistan.

During the first round of talks in Pakistan, Vance said that Iran refused US demands on constraints on its contested nuclear programme.

In its advisory issued today, ICT Police said that entry of all types of heavy traffic into Islamabad will remain banned, while transporters have been advised to avoid travelling towards the capital.

Residents of G-5, G-6, G-7, F-6 and F-7 can use Margalla Road and 9th Avenue for travel to and from Rawalpindi. Traffic from Faisal Avenue towards Zero Point will be diverted to 9th Avenue.

In case of closure between Zero Point and Korral Chowk, commuters can use Srinagar Highway to 9th Avenue, then Stadium Road, Murree Road (Chandni Chowk) and Rawal Road to reach Korral.

Traffic from Park Road towards Club Road will be diverted to Tramri Chowk.

Commuters travelling from Bhara Kahu to Rawalpindi are advised to use Korang Road, Bani Gala and Lehtrar Road.

Traffic from Rawalpindi Saddar to Islamabad can use Colonel Sher Khan Road via Faqir Aipee Road or 9th Avenue.

Heavy traffic from Peshawar to Lahore will be diverted via Taxila Motorway, Chakri Interchange, Chak Beli Road and Rawat GT Road.

Similarly, heavy traffic from Lahore to Peshawar will use Rawat GT Road, Chak Beli Road, Chakri Interchange and Taxila via the motorway. The traffic plan will come into force from Saturday.

Citizens have been advised to follow alternate routes and cooperate with the traffic police.

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Pakistan urges UNSC to push India to restore Indus Waters Treaty a year after its suspension

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) to address India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning of “grave” security, environmental, and humanitarian risks for 240 million people.

A letter from Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, addressed to Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei of Bahrain, which hold the 15-member Council’s presidency for the month of April, draws attention to India’s “illegal” decision to hold the IWT in abeyance one year after its suspension amid heightened political tensions with Pakistan.

The letter was handed over to the Security Council President by the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday, according to a press release issued by the Pakistani Mission.

DPM/FM Dar urged the Security Council to take cognizance of the alarming situation and call on India to restore the full implementation of IWT, resume all Treaty-mandated cooperation and data-sharing without delay, desist from any form of water coercion, and comply fully with its international obligations in good faith.

In this regard, Ambassador Asim Ahmad also briefed the Security Council president on the “regurgitation of baseless allegations and propaganda by India at a time when Pakistan is engaged in serious mediation efforts to promote regional and international peace and security.”

The Pakistani envoy also underscored that the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute – a longstanding item on the Security Council’s agenda – was the root cause of instability in South Asia that necessitated a just and lasting settlement in accordance with relevant Council’s resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The 66-year-old treaty governs the distribution of waters from the Indus river system, allocating the western rivers, Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, primarily to Pakistan, which depends on them for most of its agriculture. The agreement has long been seen as one of the most durable arrangements between the two countries, surviving wars and decades of hostility.

However, India announced on Apr. 23, 2025 it was holding the treaty in abeyance. The move came as India, without producing any evidence, accused Pakistan of being behind a militant attack in Indian-Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan categorically denied any involvement it in the attack, which led to a brief but intense military conflict between the two countries in May 2025.