ISLAMABAD — This week, Islamabad’s major hotels are fully booked, and some transport and services in and around Pakistan’s capital have paused operations. This development comes as the world eagerly anticipates a hopeful second round of peace negotiations between Iran and the United States.
On Sunday, Islamabad Police announced adjustments to traffic routes in anticipation of the arrival of undisclosed official delegations. The city has closed all streets near the location where last weekend’s in-person peace talks took place.
“Due to the arrival of foreign delegations in Islamabad, the Red Zone and Extended Red Zone will remain completely closed for all kinds of traffic,” read a post on X from the police. “Citizens are advised to use alternate routes and cooperate with traffic police to ensure smooth flow and security.”
While neither the United States nor Iran, nor mediator Pakistan, has officially confirmed another meeting to discuss ending the seven-week conflict, indicators suggest a gathering is imminent.
Islamabad’s luxury Movenpick hotel, which accommodated hundreds of journalists during last weekend’s talks, is fully booked for the coming days. Likewise, the Serena Hotel, where the US-Iran negotiations were held, has stopped accepting new reservations.
Moreover, guests currently staying at the Serena and Marriott Hotels in Islamabad have been asked to find alternative lodging starting Sunday night.
What’s more, the city of Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi announced on Sunday that they were shutting down some forms of transportation for the foreseeable future.
“Heavy transport and public transport in the city are being suspended until further orders,” Islamabad’s district administration announced in a post to X. “Citizens are earnestly requested to cooperate with the security agencies. Thank you.”
While the Pakistani government has been passing messages between Washington and Tehran since the first round of talks ended on April 12, Iranian officials have suggested that in-person, direct talks with the US have been the most productive toward ending the conflict.
“In mediated negotiations, misunderstandings sometimes arose, such as on the issue of asset release,” Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said, according to a post by the Iranian embassy in India. “But in direct talks, we reached a clearer mutual understanding.”
While a date has not been announced for round two, US, Iranian and Pakistani sources have all indicated discussions could take place as soon as Tuesday.
It takes at least a full day to travel from the United States to Pakistan on most commercial airlines.
Even Air Force Two took roughly 17 hours to transport Vice President JD Vance and the rest of the American delegation to Islamabad on April 11.
President Trump has previously indicated he would be open to coming to Islamabad, but said he would not come until a deal is ready to be signed.
It remains unclear who from the United States may come to Islamabad should a second round of negotiations occur.
Trump last week suggested a reporter from The Post should stay in Islamabad in expectation that “something could be happening” in the Pakistani capital city related to the peace negotiations.
The White House did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
