ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump after he announced a pause in “Project Freedom,” a military operation designed to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump cited “great progress” towards a comprehensive agreement with Iran and referenced requests from Pakistan and other nations.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Sharif thanked President Trump for his “courageous leadership and timely announcement,” noting that the decision responded to appeals from Pakistan and “other brotherly countries,” particularly Saudi Arabia and its Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman.
READ ALSO: Trump pauses Hormuz operation: PM Shehbaz says ‘grateful’ for courageous leadership
“The President’s [Trump] gracious response […] will go a long way towards advancing regional peace, stability and reconciliation during this sensitive period,” Sharif wrote.
He added that Pakistan remained “firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy” and expressed hope that “the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond.”
Hours before President Trump’s announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the operation, which began on Monday, to escort stranded tankers out of the Gulf.
The strait has been effectively closed since the conflict began, blocking nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supplies and contributing to a global energy crisis.
“Based on the request of Pakistan and other countries, the tremendous military success […] great progress has been made towards a complete and final agreement with representatives of Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The White House gave no details on progress or the duration of the pause. Iran has threatened mines, drones, missiles, and fast-attack craft, while the US countered with blockades and escorted transits.
The conflict began on 28 February after a US-Israel offensive on Iran. A two-week ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan on 8 April, remains in place after high-level talks in Islamabad concluded last weekend without a formal agreement.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments