The Pakistani capital is in an indefinite lockdown in anticipation of stalled US-Iran talks, according to major media reports. All main roads leading to Islamabad have been blocked, and trucks carrying essential supplies such as bread and cooking oil have been denied entry. Public transport movement is restricted, and near the airport, no shops or fuel stations are open. The government has asked offices to close and urged employees to work from home, while schools have moved online. Streets that were once crowded are mostly empty, particularly in the 'red zone' housing critical government institutions.
Bilal Mazhar Khawaja, who runs three restaurants in Islamabad, has seen his business severely hit. According to The Independent - Main, Khawaja described how food supply chains have been disrupted and staff movement restricted. His staff cannot afford taxi fares and prefer to stay home, and he may be forced to let some go if restrictions are not eased.
Pakistan mediated the first round of peace talks to end the seven-week-old war between the US and Iran. US President Donald Trump indefinitely extended the ceasefire with Iran this week, hours before it was set to expire, but no date for the next talks has been set. US Vice President JD Vance was previously reported to lead the US delegation, but the visit got delayed. Iran was reconsidering its initial refusal to engage further, and Islamabad remains hopeful talks will take place soon. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Iran's ambassador on Wednesday. However, Iran's capture of two cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday has led to fresh uncertainty over plans for the second round of peace negotiations.