Story perspectives

Pakistan Grapples with Blackouts, Fuel Spike, U.S. Visit Cancelled

4/26/2026

Left

Pakistan Faces Crisis

Pakistani households faced rolling blackouts, a 14% petrol-price surge and abrupt school closures amid stalled talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled the planned visit of envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned it would retaliate if the U.S. blockade persisted.
In Islamabad, courts stayed sealed and lawyers reported delayed death-penalty appeals amid an IMF-backed economy.

Right

Munir Revives Talks

Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi in Islamabad after U.S. envoys were barred.
President Donald Trump cancelled envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s trip to Pakistan, halting the scheduled U.S.–Iran talks in Islamabad.
Pakistani officials worked overtime to revive a second round of U.S.–Iran peace talks.
Iranian officials left Islamabad for Muscat to consult Omani authorities on a possible peace proposal.

History

Historical Context

During the 1979-1981 Iran hostage crisis, 52 American diplomats were held for 444 days, ending with the Algiers Accords that made hostages a diplomatic bargaining tool. That precedent underlies today’s tension as Donald Trump withdrew envoys, while Iran’s IRGC threatens retaliation and Pakistan’s army chief meets Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi, reviving back-channel talks.

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Pakistan Faces Crisis

Pakistani households faced rolling blackouts, a 14% petrol-price surge and abrupt school closures amid stalled talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled the planned visit of envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned it would retaliate if the U.S. blockade persisted.
In Islamabad, courts stayed sealed and lawyers reported delayed death-penalty appeals amid an IMF-backed economy.

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