ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistani journalist Baqir Sajjad Syed has confirmed that US Vice President JD Vance is likely to depart Islamabad today after two days of intensive high-level negotiations.

The development has triggered expectations of an official statement highlighting advancements made during the landmark talks hosted by Pakistan.

Regional reports suggest Pakistani authorities may announce that measurable progress was achieved and the dialogue process will continue.

The negotiations, which opened on April 11, represented the highest-level direct in-person contact between American and Iranian delegations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Pakistan emerged as the crucial mediator, facilitating backchannel communications through secure platforms including WhatsApp and Signal.

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, played a central role in coordinating positions between the two sides.

The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, included special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Iranian representatives, headed by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, engaged in sessions focused on extending a fragile ceasefire that halted a six-week regional conflict.

International coverage from CNN, Al Jazeera and NPR has already detailed the arrival phase, yet the anticipated departure statement remains anchored in Pakistani diplomatic sources.

Bilateral US-Pakistan ties provided the foundation, with Washington having disbursed more than 33 billion dollars in post-2001 assistance for security and economic programmes.

Current annual bilateral trade exceeds 7 billion dollars, while American investments in Pakistan’s energy and infrastructure sectors have surpassed 2 billion dollars in recent years.

Analysts project that any positive outcome could unlock further defence cooperation, including potential upgrades to Pakistan’s F-16 fleet and enhanced counterterrorism intelligence sharing.

The talks also addressed broader regional stability, with Pakistan’s mediation preventing spillover effects that could have disrupted South Asian supply chains and energy routes.

Oil prices had surged nearly 20 percent during the peak of the US-Israel-Iran hostilities, underscoring the global stakes involved.

Pakistan’s economy, already navigating IMF-supported reforms, stands to gain from strengthened diplomatic leverage and possible new trade incentives.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted key meetings, reinforcing Islamabad’s image as a reliable broker in Middle East crises.

Vance’s transition from vocal sceptic of prolonged foreign engagements to lead negotiator marks a notable shift in US diplomatic posture.

Regional media, including Dawn, has consistently reported on the shuttle diplomacy that preceded the Islamabad summit.

A joint statement, if issued today, is expected to emphasise commitment to sustained engagement rather than immediate breakthroughs.

Such language would align with Vance’s pre-arrival comments expressing cautious optimism while warning against any attempt to “play” the United States.

The visit has already elevated Pakistan’s standing in global forums, positioning it as an indispensable player in de-escalation efforts.

Further rounds of talks are anticipated in the coming weeks, possibly involving additional stakeholders such as China, given Beijing’s substantial investments under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

US officials have not yet confirmed the exact departure time, but sources close to the delegation indicate a return flight is imminent.

The outcome carries weight for domestic audiences in Pakistan, where public sentiment strongly favours diplomatic solutions over military escalation.

Economic data released last month showed remittances from the United States contributing 18 percent of Pakistan’s total foreign inflows.

Defence cooperation figures reveal joint exercises and training programmes valued at over 500 million dollars annually.

These statistics underscore the depth of the partnership that enabled Pakistan to host such sensitive trilateral discussions.

As Vance prepares to board his aircraft, observers await the formal Pakistani readout that could define the next phase of US-Iran relations.