Two days public holiday announced in Islamabad in view of US-Iran talks

The Islamabad administration on Wednesday announced a two-day public holiday in light of upcoming talks between the United States and Iran in the federal capital.

According to a notification issued by the Office of the District Magistrate, Thursday and Friday have been declared local holidays within the revenue limits of the Islamabad Capital Territory.

However, essential services will remain operational, including hospitals.

Citizens were advised to plan their activities accordingly.

US President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his 8pm deadline to destroy a “whole civilisation”, while responding to a high-stakes diplomatic effort from Pakistan to defuse tensions in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in an appeal to the US president, had urged all sides to pause hostilities for two weeks as backchannel efforts gathered momentum toward a potential negotiated settlement.

Trump said the ceasefire agreement was made on the condition that Iran agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.