ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — The Thursday Times sat down with Caitlin Doornbos during her visit to Islamabad, where she described her experience in the Pakistani capital as “wonderful and warm” and praised the openness of local people amid heightened international focus on regional diplomacy.
Caitlin Doornbos made the world pay attention to Islamabad during the US-Iran peace talks — but does she actually want to be there?
The Thursday Times finds out. @CaitlinDoornbos pic.twitter.com/IfAfUwp7A7— The Thursday Times (@thursday_times) April 20, 2026
Speaking during the interview, Ms Doornbos said residents in Islamabad had shown strong interest in world affairs and ongoing global developments. She said the opportunity to meet Pakistanis had been one of the unexpected highlights of her trip.
“I’m not here for political reasons,” she said, adding that her primary purpose was to cover the war and what she hopes will eventually be its conclusion for audiences in the United States.
She said that beyond reporting duties, getting to know the people of Pakistan had been “the added sugar on top” of the visit.
Asked how hopeful she was regarding the so-called Islamabad talks, Ms Doornbos struck a cautious tone, saying reporters covering high-intensity conflicts are often unable to predict outcomes with certainty.
“The thing about being a reporter, especially in conflicts like this, is you just don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said.
While acknowledging that people naturally hope for positive developments, she said it would be premature to project what may happen next and urged observers to remain patient.
The conversation also turned to her recent remarks about speaking directly with Donald Trump.
Ms Doornbos said the only firm information she could confirm from those conversations was that, as of the previous day, discussions were still taking place.
“That’s the only thing I can base off of,” she said.
Her comments come at a moment when Islamabad has attracted growing international attention as a venue associated with dialogue, backchannel contacts and speculation over diplomatic engagement.
Though careful not to overstate prospects, Ms Doornbos’ remarks reflected a broader sense of guarded optimism surrounding efforts to reduce tensions.
For Pakistan, the interview also offered a softer image: a foreign correspondent highlighting hospitality, warmth and civic curiosity at a time when the country is increasingly in the global spotlight.
As diplomatic uncertainty continues, observers remain focused not only on what may emerge from talks, but also on how Islamabad is being perceived on the world stage.
