ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities on Friday stepped up security in the federal capital, Islamabad, launching large-scale search operations as the city prepares for a possible new round of talks between the United States and Iran.
The heightened security comes after US President Donald Trump said a second round of in-person discussions could take place in Islamabad “probably, maybe over the weekend.”
The preparations follow an initial round of direct talks held in Islamabad on Apr. 11, the first such known engagement between US and Iranian officials in the current conflict, which ended without a breakthrough, with both sides remaining divided over Tehran’s nuclear program, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of US sanctions.
Since then, efforts have continued to arrange a second round, with Pakistan facilitating exchanges between Washington and Tehran and positioning itself as a key mediator amid ongoing regional tensions.
“Although arrangements are being made, the exact date of the talks cannot be confirmed until officially announced,” a Pakistani source involved in the security arrangements told Arab News on condition of anonymity. “The situation remains fluid. It can happen on any date.”
On the orders of the Inspector General of Islamabad Police, joint search and combing operations have been launched across the city, involving specialized units and female officers, according to a police statement.
“Special checking points have been established at the entry and exit routes of the city to ensure effective monitoring,” the statement said, adding that patrol units and special squads were active throughout Islamabad.
Earlier in the morning, local authorities announced the shutdown of bus terminals at Faizabad, a major transport hub on the Islamabad Expressway often used by official convoys.
However, district administration officials clarified later that “all bus terminals in Islamabad are open as usual,” including Faizabad.
The tightened security reflects the high stakes surrounding the talks to end a nearly seven-week-long US-Israel war on Iran that began on Feb. 28. A fragile two-week ceasefire reached earlier this month expires on Apr. 21.
During the previous round of talks last weekend, authorities declared local holidays in Islamabad, with the city in a virtual lockdown amid restricted movement in key areas and heavy military, paramilitary and police deployments across the city.
A dedicated media center was also set up to facilitate hundreds of local and international journalists, who were transported to the venue under government security arrangements, while major roads leading to key sites were sealed.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, US President Donald Trump praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue while specifically mentioning Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.
“The field marshal has been great, the prime minister has been really great in Pakistan,” he said, hinting that he would visit Islamabad if a deal was signed.
Munir is currently in Tehran as part of ongoing diplomatic engagements while Sharif has been meeting regional leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye.
