Islamabad: In a high-stakes diplomatic effort, Pakistan has formally called on the United States and Iran to extend their current ceasefire and prioritize dialogue to prevent the region from sliding back into open conflict.

The appeal was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during a meeting with the US Chargé d’Affaires, Natalie A. Baker, in Islamabad on Tuesday. Dar emphasized that continuing the truce is essential for a second round of peace talks to succeed, urging both sides to "give dialogue and diplomacy a chance."

The two-week ceasefire, which was brokered by Pakistan on April 8 following weeks of hostilities, is currently set to expire. While the truce has remained technically intact, it faces severe strain due to recent naval tensions in the Gulf of Oman and ongoing military actions in Lebanon.

The diplomatic push comes at a critical time as a US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, is expected in Islamabad for a second round of negotiations. However, uncertainty remains high; US President Donald Trump has indicated that a further extension is "highly unlikely" without significant progress, while Tehran has expressed skepticism over "contradictory messages" from Washington.

Pakistan’s civil and military leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, continue to maintain open channels with both capitals, positioning Islamabad as a central mediator in the efforts to secure long-term regional stability.

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