ISLAMABAD: As a looming ultimatum from former US President Donald Trump to Iran approaches, Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Prime Minister PM Shehbaz Sharif took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to announce that diplomatic efforts for a peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the region are “progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully” with the potential to yield substantive results in the near future.
In a direct appeal, the Prime Minister requested President Trump to extend the deadline by two weeks to allow diplomacy to run its course. “To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
Simultaneously, PM Shehbaz addressed Iran, urging the Iranian leadership to open the Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture. “Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture,” he wrote.
The Prime Minister also called upon all warring parties in the region to observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks. He emphasized that this pause in hostilities would allow diplomacy to achieve a conclusive termination of the war, in the interest of long-term peace and stability in the region.
The statement from Pakistan’s leader comes amid heightened international concern over potential military confrontation, with Pakistan positioning itself as a key mediator seeking a peaceful resolution.
