Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Thursday reviewed progress on Pakistan’s efforts to mediate peace in the region, as key international talks draw closer.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Field Marshal Munir called on the premier in Islamabad.

“The dignitaries reviewed the progress of Pakistan’s mediatory efforts to achieve sustainable peace in the region. The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the de-escalation achieved so far and stressed upon the need for maintaining peace and ceasefire by all parties,” the statement said.

“The leadership appreciated the restraint demonstrated by all sides and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to facilitate and provide all-out support to both sides to arrive at a peacefully negotiated settlement,” it added.

The prime minister lauded the commitment of the parties involved and wished them success in their pursuit of peace.

“He also renewed his invitation to the arriving delegations and assured them of the highest consideration and support by Pakistan,” the statement concluded.

The meeting comes as delegations from the United States and Iran are expected in Islamabad over the weekend for talks, with Pakistan positioning itself as a key facilitator.

A high-level US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is due to arrive in Islamabad tonight ahead of high‑stakes negotiations with Iran, sources said.

The meeting scheduled for Saturday would be a key diplomatic step following a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

Accompanying Vance will be senior officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Additional members of the US delegation, including security experts and support staff, are also scheduled to arrive in Islamabad this evening to assist with the talks.

Iran’s negotiating team will likewise reach Islamabad tonight, led by Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The US and Iranian delegations are set to hold talks on Friday, with the central phase of negotiations scheduled for Saturday.

Multiple rounds of discussions are expected to take place in Islamabad over the course of the talks.

Islamabad stepped up diplomatic outreach after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering a wider conflict and a global energy shock.

Since then, Pakistani leadership, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, has engaged regional and international stakeholders to push for de-escalation.

On March 24, the prime minister said Pakistan stood “ready and honoured” to host “meaningful and conclusive talks” between Washington and Tehran.

A day later, the US shared a 15-point proposal with Iran through Pakistan, while Tehran responded with its own conditions.

Despite initial reports of rejection, “indirect talks” continued, with Pakistan relaying messages between the two sides.

Diplomatic activity intensified on March 29, when foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt met in Islamabad for a quadrilateral discussion on Middle East de-escalation. Pakistan and China later issued a five-point initiative to restore regional stability.

Tensions spiked again on April 5 when US President Donald Trump issued a deadline for Iran to agree to a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning of further attacks.

With hours left before the deadline, PM Shehbaz urged Trump to extend it by two weeks, citing steady diplomatic progress, and also called on Iran to reopen the key shipping route for the same period.

“Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” Trump later said.

Iran subsequently signalled conditional restraint, stating it would halt defensive operations if attacks stopped.

The two-week truce is based on a 10-point Iranian proposal that Washington has accepted as a general framework for negotiations, raising cautious hopes for a broader settlement.