Media Facilitation Centre set up for journalists covering 'Islamabad Talks'
Picture from inside the Media Facilitation Centre established by the Information Ministry at the Jinnah Convention Centre for foreign journalists arriving to cover the Islamabad talks. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB
The government has established a Media Facilitation Centre at the Jinnah Convention Centre for foreign journalists arriving to cover the 'Islamabad Talks', Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X on Saturday.
He said, "All arrangements are in place to facilitate foreign and local journalists in the best way possible." The centre has been established by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, he stated, adding, "We will be looking after them well."
Media Facilitation Center established at Jinnah Convention Center by @MoIB_Official for Foreign Journalists coming to cover #IslamabadTalks
All arrangements in place to facilities foreign and local journalists in the best way possible
We will be looking after them well
🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/INkzlKu417A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that delegates and journalists from participating nations coming for peace talks will be issued a visa on arrival in Islamabad.
He said that "Pakistan welcomes all delegates, including journalists from participating nations, travelling in relation to Islamabad Talks 2026. To this end, all airlines are requested to permit boarding to all such individuals without a visa. Immigration authorities in Pakistan will issue them a visa on arrival."
Pakistan welcomes all delegates including journalists from participating nations, traveling in relation to Islamabad Talks 2026. To this end, all airlines are requested to permit boarding to all such individuals without Visa. Immigration authorities in Pakistan will issue them… pic.twitter.com/mvWJyv2P4s
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi then clarified that the visa on arrival facility applies only to delegates and journalists from participating nations, namely Iran and the United States. “This facility, extended for the duration of the talks, does not cover third-country nationals,” he added.
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Statement by The Spokesperson
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/94UFEYKZtLThe government has introduced these facilities as senior figures from the United States and Iran are set to hold historic talks in Islamabad today, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing the high-stakes negotiations as a "make or break moment" for peace.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf landed in Pakistan late on Friday night, the Foreign Office said. The delegation was received by Dar along with National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the statement added.
Arrival of the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran for Islamabad Talks pic.twitter.com/aJYU9cx5t2
US Vice President JD Vance also departed for Islamabad yesterday, telling media that America was looking forward to the negotiation with Iran and expressing hope that the talks would be positive. The delegation from the US will be led by Vance, who will be accompanied by President Donald Trump's key Middle East envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
On April 8, Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his 8:00pm deadline to destroy a "whole civilisation," while responding to diplomatic efforts from Pakistan to defuse tensions in the Middle East. Shehbaz also announced the ceasefire in a post on X, inviting the delegations of both Iran and the US to Islamabad on Friday, April 10, "to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes."
The prime minister expressed hope "that the 'Islamabad Talks' succeed in achieving sustainable peace."