Pakistan relaxes visa rules for participants ahead of US-Iran talks in Islamabad

Pakistan has suspended visa requirements and allowed visa-on-arrival facilities for delegates and journalists attending upcoming US-Iran talks in Islamabad, officials said on Friday, in a move aimed at facilitating participation in the high-level diplomatic engagement.

In a post on X, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said airlines had been instructed to permit boarding for passengers travelling in connection with the Islamabad talks even without visas, adding that immigration authorities would issue visas on arrival upon entry.

The measure is intended to ensure smooth travel arrangements and reflects Islamabad’s effort to host what it has described as an inclusive diplomatic process.

Authorities have also declared two days of local holidays in the capital on short notice from Thursday ahead of the talks.

Pakistan is set to host in-person talks between the United States and Iran starting today (Friday), with formal negotiations expected on Saturday, amid renewed regional tensions following Israeli strikes in Lebanon and ongoing strains across the Gulf.

The discussions follow a two-week ceasefire announced late Tuesday after Pakistani mediation. The truce, which helped avert imminent US strikes, was based on a 10-point Iranian proposal that Washington accepted as a framework for negotiations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier said the talks were aimed at “further negotiating for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes.”

Sharif also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, describing the conversation as “warm and substantive,” and said he had commended Tehran for its “wisdom and sagacity” in agreeing to Pakistan’s proposal to host the talks.

According to the White House, the US delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance, while Iran will be represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliamentary speaker Bagher Ghalibaf. Other US officials expected to participate include envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.