Pakistan, April 25 -- For nearly a week, the federal capital has been waiting for peace talks between the United States and Iran to take place there and large parts of the city remain sealed off by authorities.

Key roads leading into Islamabad are shut down, and a strict security cordon envelops the administrative centre, the so-called "Red Zone". In the adjacent "Blue Area", cafes have run out of fruit, markets are deserted and with no service at bus terminals, weekend commuters are struggling to get home.

Government officials say the measures are not ending any time soon and that they are ever ready for delegates, including US President Donald Trump, to show up at a moment's notice. "We have been told that the talks could be held any ...