Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Calls for Two-Week Global Ceasefire; Urges Trump to Extend Deadline and Iran to Open Strait of Hormuz

​In a high-stakes diplomatic move aimed at averting a catastrophic escalation in the Middle East, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued a formal appeal for a synchronized two-week global ceasefire. ​Taking to social media, the Prime Minister highlighted that diplomatic efforts for a "peaceful settlement" are currently at a critical and "powerful" juncture, with the potential to yield substantive results. To prevent a collapse of these negotiations, Sharif directed a two-part request to the primary stakeholders: ​To the United States: An "earnest request" to President Donald Trump to extend the current diplomatic deadline by two weeks. ​To Iran: A request to the "Iranian brothers" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the same period as a "goodwill gesture." ​A Critical Window for Diplomacy ​The Prime Minister’s statement comes as regional tensions reach a boiling point. By proposing a 14-day window, Pakistan is positioning itself as a key mediator, seeking to bridge the gap between Washington’s ultimatums and Tehran’s strategic maneuvers. ​Sharif emphasized that the "conclusive termination of war" is within reach if all parties observe a total ceasefire. "Pakistan, in all sincerity," the PM stated, believes this cooling-off period is essential for long-term stability and the interests of the global economy, which has been rattled by the closure of vital shipping lanes. Global Implications ​The request to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is particularly significant, as the waterway is a chokepoint for global oil and gas supplies. Analysts suggest that a "goodwill gesture" from Iran, paired with a deadline extension from President Trump, could provide the necessary breathing room for international mediators to finalize a peace framework. ​Islamabad remains in close contact with regional capitals, advocating for a shift from military posturing to "substantive" dialogue.