Iran has agreed to a two-week ceasefire with the United States, according to the country’s National Security Council. The discussions, based on Tehran’s ten-point proposal, are scheduled to begin on Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. The ceasefire follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that he would suspend attacks on Iran for two weeks and refrain from destroying Iranian civilization.

The agreement, mediated by the Pakistani government, extends beyond the borders of Iran and the United States. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif confirmed that the ceasefire will also apply to Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East, with immediate effect. In a social media message, Sharif welcomed the accord and expressed gratitude to both nations’ leadership, praising their prudence and constructive approach toward peace and stability.

Sharif has formally invited delegations from Iran and the United States to Islamabad on April 10 to begin discussions aimed at reaching a final and comprehensive settlement of all disputes.

Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East. Following discussions with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of Turkey and Egypt, according to a statement released on April 8, 2026.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said Ishaq Dar briefed his Turkish and Egyptian counterparts on Pakistan’s position regarding the current situation in the Middle East and its ongoing initiatives to promote peace. The ministry’s statement added that the latest progress in Pakistan’s dialogue and diplomatic activities aimed at maintaining regional peace and stability was shared with both ministers.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, indicates that Pakistan continues to pursue active engagement with key regional partners to support dialogue and de-escalation in the Middle East.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to extend the deadline related to the Iran agreement by two weeks. In a post on social media platform X, Sharif also called on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open during this period as a gesture of goodwill. He said that diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Middle East were progressing strongly and consistently, with hopes of achieving significant results soon.

Sharif emphasized that extending the deadline would allow diplomacy a fair chance to succeed. He appealed to all warring parties in the region to observe a two-week ceasefire everywhere, arguing that such a pause could pave the way for a final resolution of the war through negotiations.

The appeal comes amid heightened tensions in the region, including reports of missile attacks near the Iraq-Iran border and strong international criticism of recent threats and military actions.

Pakistan has presented a proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which includes an immediate ceasefire. According to a Reuters report cited by the source, both Iran and the United States have received the proposal, which is currently being referred to as the 'Islamabad Accord'. The details of the proposal were shared with both countries as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic effort to halt the violence.

The report indicates that Pakistan formally handed over the outline of the proposal to Iran and the United States. The initiative comes amid escalating regional tensions, including recent Iranian attacks that caused damage at 28 sites in Israel and other related incidents reported in the region.

The proposal’s contents and the responses from Iran and the United States have not yet been disclosed, leaving uncertainty about whether the initiative will lead to a ceasefire or broader negotiations.

A new peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East emerged on Monday, provisionally titled the ‘Islamabad Accord’. According to a Reuters report citing unnamed sources, Pakistan has drafted the framework for the proposal and shared it overnight with Iran and the United States.

The source told Reuters that Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, maintained overnight communications with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The discussions reportedly focused on achieving an immediate ceasefire and paving the way for a broader resolution to the conflict.

The report did not specify the details of the proposal or the responses from the involved parties, leaving the next steps in the peace initiative uncertain.

Pakistan has announced a one-month period of free travel on government-run public transport across the country, including the capital and the most populous province. The decision was made after widespread protests erupted following a sharp rise in fuel prices driven by the ongoing Iran-related war situation. The announcement came on Friday, shortly after the government raised petrol prices by 42.7 percent to 485 rupees per liter, triggering public anger and long queues at petrol stations.

According to The Guardian, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif later partially reversed the decision the same night, reducing petrol prices to 378 rupees per liter by cutting fuel taxes. In a televised address, he said the new price would remain in effect for at least one month and pledged to continue efforts to stabilize daily life. However, diesel prices were not reduced and now stand at 520 rupees per liter, a 54.9 percent increase from previous levels.

The temporary free transport measure aims to ease public hardship while the government works to manage the economic fallout from the fuel crisis.

Pakistan has announced that all public transport in the capital, Islamabad, will be free for the next 30 days as the country faces a severe fuel crisis triggered by the ongoing war in Iran. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Friday, April 3, that the decision was made under the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and will take effect from Saturday, April 4. The Interior Ministry will allocate 350 million rupees to fund the initiative.

The government of Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous and economically significant province, has also introduced a similar free transport scheme to ease citizens’ financial burdens. The fuel shortage has intensified as oil prices have surged sharply, with diesel rising by about 55 percent to 520 rupees per liter and petrol by 42 percent to 458 rupees. The price hikes have directly affected the transport sector and the cost of essential goods.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also confirmed that two Pakistani ships successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz and that 20 more are preparing to sail under the national flag.

The government of Pakistan has increased petrol prices by 43 percent and high-speed diesel prices by 55 percent, citing rising global oil costs caused by the ongoing war in Iran. The announcement was made on April 3, 2026. The country’s energy minister stated that government resources are limited and that the conflict shows no sign of ending soon.

Pakistan relies heavily on imported oil, much of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz. The government recently reported securing safe passage for some Pakistan-flagged vessels through the strait, which Iran has effectively closed. This marks the second fuel price hike since the start of the Iran war.

Compared to pre-war levels, petrol prices in Pakistan are now 77 percent higher and diesel prices 87 percent higher. The government said certain users will continue to receive subsidies.

China and Pakistan have completed a seven-day joint naval exercise in the Arabian Sea amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The exercise, named 'Sea Guardian-4', concluded on Wednesday and aimed to strengthen coordination and bilateral cooperation between the two countries’ navies, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The exercise included a five-day harbor phase in Karachi and a two-day sea phase in the northern Arabian Sea. Activities during the sea phase featured air defense drills against multi-dimensional threats, operations with a Pakistani submarine, conventional naval warfare exercises, and live firing to enhance operational and tactical coordination.

The ISPR statement said the exercise ended with a coordinated patrol in the Arabian Sea, reaffirming both navies’ commitment to regional maritime security and stability.

Pakistan’s security forces conducted intelligence-based operations on two bases of Fitna al Khawarij, described as an ‘Indian proxy force,’ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), at least 13 members of the group were killed in the raids carried out on Wednesday, April 1. The operations targeted militant hideouts in the Bara area of Khyber district and in Bannu district.

ISPR reported that ten militants were killed in Bara after intense gunfire, while three others were killed in Bannu during a separate operation. The raids were launched following intelligence reports about the presence of armed militants in those areas.

The ISPR stated that search operations are continuing to eliminate India-backed militants and that counterterrorism efforts under the Azm-e-Istehkam program will proceed at full pace.

Foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey met in Islamabad on Sunday to discuss ending the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. The meeting is viewed as both a potential breakthrough for a ceasefire and an early step toward limiting Iranian and Israeli influence in the Middle East. The talks also resulted in an agreement allowing Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, boosting Islamabad’s confidence in its mediation role.

Gulf affairs expert Yasmin Farouk said the four-nation group is expected to play a more active role in securing a ceasefire, warning that the war has reached a dangerous stage. She noted that attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites and possible troop deployments by Israel could destabilize the region. Turkey emerged as the most active member of the alliance, with its intelligence chief and foreign minister warning that the conflict could trigger broader sectarian and regional unrest.

Analysts observed that Saudi Arabia’s participation signals a shift from its earlier stance, suggesting it is keeping alternative diplomatic options open amid growing regional risks.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is set to visit China tomorrow as part of efforts to facilitate direct talks between the United States and Iran. During his trip to Beijing, he is expected to meet with China’s foreign minister to discuss bilateral relations and various regional issues.

The visit comes as Islamabad intensifies diplomatic initiatives to bring Washington and Tehran to the negotiation table. Over the past week, Ishaq Dar has coordinated with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt in a four-party diplomatic effort aimed at organizing direct dialogue between US and Iranian representatives in Pakistan.

China has already expressed support for Pakistan’s initiative. Following recent discussions, Ishaq Dar confirmed that Beijing is offering full backing to Islamabad’s attempt to host potential US-Iran talks.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that his country will work to bring the United States and Iran to the negotiation table. The statement came on Sunday following discussions among the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt. Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to playing a constructive role in resolving ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and said efforts would focus on encouraging dialogue between Washington and Tehran.

According to the statement, Sharif held meetings with the foreign ministers of Turkey and Egypt to discuss the escalating regional crisis. He highlighted the urgent need for joint initiatives to end conflicts that have caused loss of life, economic damage, and destruction of resources in several Muslim countries, including Iran.

The announcement reflects Pakistan’s intent to act as a mediator in regional disputes, seeking to promote stability through diplomatic engagement among key Middle Eastern and global actors.

Lahore Qalandars, featuring Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, lost to Karachi Kings by four wickets in a low-scoring match. The game took place on March 30, 2026, where Karachi chased down Lahore’s 128 for 9 to finish at 131 for 6. Mustafizur bowled four overs, conceding only 20 runs and taking one wicket. Batting at number four, Bangladesh’s Parvez Hossain Emon scored 12 runs off 12 balls.

Mustafizur began his spell in the eighth over, giving away just one run and dismissing Saad Baig through a catch by the wicketkeeper. He returned in the 11th over, conceding five runs, and again in the 17th over, giving another five. His most expensive over came in the 19th, where he allowed nine runs. Abdullah Shafique top-scored for Lahore with 33 runs off 24 balls.

The result marked a narrow defeat for Lahore Qalandars despite disciplined bowling from Mustafizur, as Karachi Kings managed to chase the target with four wickets in hand.

A two-day quadrilateral meeting began in Islamabad involving the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan to explore diplomatic solutions for ending the ongoing Iran war and easing regional tensions. The talks aim to find a path toward a ceasefire in the conflict that has persisted for more than a month between Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Diplomatic sources indicate that Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator, facilitating indirect exchanges between Iran and the United States with support from Turkey and Egypt. The White House confirmed direct communication between Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir and U.S. President Donald Trump. Pakistan has also conveyed a U.S. proposal to Iran, which Tehran rejected, insisting on ending the war under its own conditions.

Iran has presented five conditions for ending hostilities, including halting aggression and assassinations, ensuring compensation, coordinated resolution among all parties, and international recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts suggest the Islamabad meeting could mark a turning point in Middle East diplomacy.