Pakistan has announced two local public holidays in Islamabad at short notice ahead of high-level talks between the United States and Iran expected to take place in the capital later this week.
The Islamabad district administration issued a notification late Wednesday declaring Thursday and Friday as holidays across the Islamabad Capital Territory.
While no specific reason was cited in the notice, authorities in the capital are believed to have imposed restrictions or declared holidays ahead of high-profile diplomatic engagements for security arrangements.
The order clarified that the holidays apply only to the Islamabad Capital Territory and that essential services would remain operational.
“Essential services will remain operational," the deputy commissioner’s office said in a statement posted on X, advising residents to “plan their activities accordingly".
Offices providing key services such as police, hospitals, and electricity and gas utilities will remain open during the holiday period, according to the notification.
ISLAMABAD PREPARES TO HOST US-IRAN NEGOTIATIONS
The holiday announcement comes as Pakistan prepares to host delegations from Washington and Tehran for negotiations linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The White House has said that US Vice President JD Vance will lead an American delegation to Islamabad “this weekend" for the talks.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Pakistan would host the delegations following the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
“I… extend deepest gratitude to the leadership of both the countries and invite their delegations to Islamabad on Friday, 10th April 2026, to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes," Sharif said in a post on X.
Sharif said Pakistan hoped the discussions, referred to as the “Islamabad Talks", would help achieve lasting peace and expressed optimism about further progress in the coming days.
“We earnestly hope that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in the coming days," he said.
CEASEFIRE FOLLOWS ESCALATION IN MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
The planned negotiations follow a two-week ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington, reached shortly before a deadline set by US President Donald Trump for potential escalation of military action.
According to AFP, the conflict began on February 28 when Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran that killed its supreme leader, triggering retaliatory attacks by Tehran targeting Gulf nations and Israel.
Lebanon was subsequently drawn into the conflict after Iran-backed Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, prompting Israeli strikes, including on the capital, Beirut as well as a ground offensive in southern Lebanon.
Sharif said the ceasefire applied “everywhere", including Lebanon, though Israel later indicated it would continue aerial and ground operations there against Hezbollah militants.
The truce came after diplomatic efforts by several countries aimed at preventing further escalation.
AFP reported that Turkey and Egypt had helped mediate in recent days, while China helped bring Iran to the negotiating table.
Sharif said China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Qatar had all provided “support towards reaching the ceasefire and giving peaceful diplomatic efforts a chance". He also thanked Arab Gulf nations for their “commitment to peace and stability in the region".
