Key Points
- Hints at substantive results soon
- Islamabad calls for temporary ceasefire and reopening of Strait of Hormuz
- Crisis continues to pose risks to oil markets and regional stability
- Both sides reportedly reviewing Pakistan’s ceasefire proposal
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s prime minister has said mediation efforts in the Middle East conflict are progressing strongly, while urging a two-week pause in hostilities and an extension of a United States deadline to allow diplomacy to succeed.
In a post on his official X account, Shehbaz Sharif said: “Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in the near future.”
Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future. To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 7, 2026
The statement comes as a deadline set by Donald Trump for Iran approaches, raising fears of escalation in the Middle East.
Sharif urged Washington to extend the deadline, saying, “To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks.”
Sharif also called on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the same period as a goodwill gesture, and urged all parties to observe a ceasefire.
“Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open the Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks,” he said, adding that all sides should “observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war.”
Global markets are closely monitoring the situation, as tensions around key oil transit routes have already contributed to volatility in energy prices. Any escalation could disrupt supply flows, triggering wider economic consequences.
For Pakistan, a major energy importer, sustained instability would likely translate into higher fuel costs, inflationary pressures, and increased strain on external accounts.
Analysts say the prime minister’s statement stands out as a signal of diplomatic confidence at a time when geopolitical uncertainty remains high, and the risk of escalation persists.
The coming hours are expected to be crucial in determining whether ongoing mediation efforts can avert further deterioration in the situation.
Meanwhile, AFP reported that the White House said it was aware and would respond to the proposal by Pakistan, which has sought to mediate after more than five weeks of US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
At the same time, an Iranian official told Reuters that the U.S. and Iran were still exchanging messages via mediators, without providing details
