‘Stepping stone toward durable peace’: PM Shehbaz meets US VP Vance as Islamabad Talks commence

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met JD Vance as the high-level Islamabad Talks formally commenced, expressing hope that the negotiations would serve as a “stepping stone toward durable peace” in the region.

During the meeting, the prime minister welcomed the commitment of both the United States and Iran to engage constructively, reiterating Pakistan’s role as a facilitator in advancing dialogue and de-escalation efforts.

Officials said the talks mark a significant diplomatic moment, bringing together senior leadership from Washington and Tehran for direct engagement aimed at stabilising the fragile ceasefire and working toward a long-term settlement.

The Islamabad Talks are being closely watched globally, as they represent one of the highest-level interactions between the two sides in decades, with key issues including regional security, sanctions and maritime stability expected to dominate discussions.

Analysts note that while expectations remain cautious due to deep mistrust between the parties, the start of negotiations itself is being seen as a positive step toward reducing tensions and preventing further escalation in the Middle East.