Ahead of crucial US-Iran negotiations, Pakistan announces a two-day holiday in Islamabad.

In advance of high-level negotiations between the United States and Iran that are anticipated to take place in the capital later this week, Pakistan has abruptly declared two local public holidays in Islamabad.

Late on Wednesday, the Islamabad district government announced that Thursday and Friday would be vacations throughout Islamabad. Authorities in the capital are thought to have imposed limits or proclaimed vacations ahead of high-profile diplomatic meetings for security arrangements, albeit no specific reason was mentioned in the notification. 

The decision made it clear that only the Islamabad Capital Territory is affected by the holidays and that vital services will continue to run. “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.

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.

The planned talks come after Tehran and Washington agreed a two-week ceasefire agreement just before US President Donald Trump set a deadline for possible military action escalation.

AFP claims that the crisis started on February 28 when Israel and the US attacked Iran, killing its supreme leader. Tehran then retaliated by attacking Israel and other Gulf countries.

Following attacks on Israel by Iran-backed Hezbollah, which prompted Israeli raids, including on Beirut, the country's capital, and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, Lebanon became involved in the conflict.

Sharif stated that the ceasefire was applicable "everywhere," including Lebanon, despite Israel's subsequent declaration that it will keep conducting air and ground operations against Hezbollah fighters there.