Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic contacts since Sunday with the United States and Iran to ensure talks can resume as soon as Tuesday, an Associated Press report said on Monday, citing officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
A two-week truce between Washington and Tehran that eased tensions in the Middle East that broke out in late February will end on Wednesday.
The news agency added that Pakistani authorities on Monday were preparing to host a second round of talks between the Mullah State and Uncle Sam's State, although there were questions about whether the negotiations would take place.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by telephone on Sunday evening with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that did not mention the planned talks, reported Al Arabiya (20/4).
Pakistani authorities began closing major roads and increasing security in the capital, Islamabad, over the weekend, particularly around the luxury hotels where delegates are expected to meet.
Authorities deployed troops at checkpoints, closed tourist attractions and instructed major hotels to limit bookings to ensure availability.
Separately, AP reported that Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday met with US Acting Charge d'Affaires Natalie Baker at the US Embassy in Islamabad.
"The meeting focused on strengthening Pakistan-US relations and preparations for the second round of talks scheduled to take place in Islamabad this week," the report quoted Naqvi's office as saying.
The statement did not mention when the talks were expected to begin, AP noted.
The Pakistani official "briefed Baker on security arrangements, saying special measures had been taken to ensure the safety of the visiting delegation."
"We have made comprehensive security arrangements for our distinguished guests," Naqvi said in the statement, according to AP.
The US hopes to begin negotiations in Pakistan shortly before the two-week ceasefire ends, with thorough security preparations underway in Islamabad, but Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the US "insists on some unreasonable and unrealistic positions."
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that a Pakistani security source said Pakistan's chief mediator, Field Marshal Asim Munir, had told US President Donald Trump that the blockade (which the US had carried out) was an obstacle to negotiations, and President Trump replied that he would consider the suggestion.
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