PM Pak Shehbaz Sharif Urges Trump to Extend Iran Deadline by Two Weeks, Calls for Ceasefire and Goodwill Opening of Strait of Hormuz

Nazrana Times
Lahore, Pakistan | April 8, 2026
Reporter Ali imran Chattha 

Islamabad: In a significant diplomatic intervention amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Prime Minister of Islamic republic of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has appealed to US President Donald Trump to extend the deadline for Iran by two weeks to allow ongoing peace efforts to bear fruit.
In a detailed statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) late on April 7, PM Sharif highlighted that diplomatic initiatives for a peaceful settlement of the ongoing war are "progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully" with potential for substantive results soon.
"To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks," the Prime Minister wrote. He further requested Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding two-week period as a "goodwill gesture" and urged all warring parties to observe a ceasefire to facilitate conclusive peace talks.
The full statement reads:
"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 the deadline for two weeks. Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture. We also urge all warring parties to observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war, in the interest of long-term peace and stability in the region."

 PM Sharif tagged President Trump, US Vice President JD Vance, and key figures including Iranian leaders.
 No Immediate Public Response from Trump
 As of early April 8, there has been no direct public response or repost from President Trump or the White House to this specific appeal. Trump has previously reposted earlier statements by PM Sharif offering Pakistan as a venue for US-Iran talks, signaling openness to Pakistani mediation efforts. The current US deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz (a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments) stands at 8 p.m. ET on April 7/8, with threats of strikes on Iranian infrastructure if unmet. Iran has rejected short-term ceasefire proposals and insists on a permanent resolution.
 Pakistan's Mediation Role
 Pakistan has actively positioned itself as a neutral broker, leveraging its relations with both Washington and Tehran. PM Sharif recently briefed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on these efforts and held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Pakistani officials, including Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, have engaged in backchannel diplomacy.
 Analysts  view this latest move as an attempt to de-escalate before potential major strikes that could disrupt global energy supplies and widen the conflict involving Israel, the US, and Iran.
 Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has also engaged regional counterparts, including Egypt, to push for calm.
 Nazrana Times will continue to monitor developments. Pakistan remains committed to regional stability and long-term peace in the Middle East.