PM Shehbaz thanks Trump for ceasefire extension, says Pakistan will continue efforts to resolve US-Iran conflict

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for accepting Pakistan’s request to extend the ceasefire with Iran.

In a post shared on X, the prime minister stated that he, along with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, was thankful to President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course.

On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course.

With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 21, 2026

He expressed optimism that the stakeholders would be able to move toward a lasting settlement during the second round of discussions scheduled in Islamabad, aiming to bring a permanent end to the conflict.

Emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment, he noted that the country would continue to make every possible effort to encourage dialogue-based solutions and voiced confidence that all sides would honor the ceasefire.

Earlier in his message on social media platform, Trump had also mentioned in his own message that PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Asim Munir had urged a temporary halt to military actions until a mutually acceptable proposal is presented by the Iranian leadership, adding that operations against Iran were being suspended in response to their request.

Earlier, Trump had indicated he was not inclined to continue the ceasefire and had warned that military operations could resume after its expiry. “I have... directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their (Iran's) proposal is submitted,” he wrote.

Prior to this late intervention, there had been confusion about when exactly the ceasefire would lapse. Pakistan had stated it would end at 2350 GMT Tuesday, whereas Iran pointed to 0000 GMT. The deadline passed quietly without reports of fresh clashes, though Tehran has yet to formally comment on the extension.