Tarar: govt facilitated 50 foreign journalists

Ministry establishes facility at Jinnah Convention Centre

ISLAMABAD:

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday stated that around 50 foreign journalists arrived in Pakistan for the "Islamabad Talks".

"Journalists from various countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Germany and Korea have submitted visa applications to cover the talks," he said while speaking to state broadcaster PTV.

Tarar noted that yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that visas on arrival would be available for journalists from Iran and the United States, adding that journalists from across the world were arriving in Pakistan for coverage.

"The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has provided all necessary facilities for journalists under one roof at Jinnah Convention Centre," Tarar said. "High-speed internet connectivity, printers, computers and screens have been installed, and all facilities required to perform journalistic duties have been made available."

Further, the minister said that Islamabad's Red Zone was close to the centre, making it easy for journalists to carry out their coverage.

"An effort has been made to provide all facilities in one place so that journalists do not face any difficulty in coverage," Tarar said. "We welcome the foreign journalists coming for coverage," he added.

Earlier, Tarar in a post on X, said that the government had established a Media Facilitation Centre at the Jinnah Convention Centre for foreign journalists arriving to cover the 'Islamabad Talks',

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."

Meanwhile, the journalists milling around the Jinnah Convention Centre are snacking the time away.

The convention centre often hosts award ceremonies and other large productions; now it plays host to a legion of reporters and producers to cover the main event.

The press corps is well provisioned for long negotiations. There's plenty of free coffee available, along with a buffet of curries and barbecue for lunch and dinner.

Staff from the Ministry of Information are on hand for any technical and logistical support, and the centre's main hall is decked out with diplomatic décor – huge banners throughout boast of the "Islamabad Talks" with the US, Pakistani and Iranian flags arranged in the center.

Likewise, a large sign on the convention floor advertises the #IslamabadTalks for the social media-inclined. A bank of couches for any weary journalists is arranged directly in front of the display.

A day earlier, 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."

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.

The 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.