Pakistan is still awaiting a formal response from Iran on whether it will send a delegation for a second round of talks with the United States, as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides nears expiry.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Tuesday that confirmation from Tehran remains pending, calling it “critical” with only hours left before the truce ends.

“Formal response from Iranian side about confirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited,” he said in a post on X.

The minister noted that the ceasefire is set to expire at 4:50 a.m. on April 22, prompting an intensification of diplomatic efforts. He added that Pakistan, acting as a mediator, is in contact with Iran and continues to push for its participation in the negotiations.

Islamabad has positioned itself as a facilitator to bring both sides to the table, aiming to ease regional tensions and pave the way for a lasting settlement.

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has urged both Washington and Tehran to consider extending the ceasefire to allow space for dialogue.

During a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker in Islamabad, Dar reiterated that negotiations and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving conflicts and ensuring long-term stability.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan, he stressed the need for direct engagement between the United States and Iran and called for serious steps to de-escalate tensions.

The US side appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting peace and facilitating dialogue, the statement added.

Pakistan has completed preparations to host the negotiations in Islamabad, but uncertainty persists over the arrival of high-level delegations. Media reports suggest the Iranian side may still participate, with officials expressing cautious optimism.

Some reports also indicate that if progress is made, senior US leadership could join the talks at a later stage.

With the ceasefire deadline looming, the extension of the truce is increasingly seen as crucial to keeping negotiations alive and preventing a return to escalation.