Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised President Donald Trump for making extraordinary efforts to pursue peace across the Middle East and surrounding regions [1].
This diplomatic outreach signals a potential shift in U.S. strategy toward de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane where military tensions have remained high.
The prime minister's comments followed a phone call on May 3, 2026, involving President Trump, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, and leaders from seven other countries [1]. The participants included representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Pakistan [1].
"President Trump's extraordinary efforts to pursue peace are commendable and very useful for the region," Sharif said [1]. He said the call was very productive in bringing together the various regional leaders [1].
Beyond the diplomatic call, Sharif addressed a specific military move by the U.S. administration. On May 6, 2026, the prime minister welcomed the decision to pause "Project Freedom," a U.S. escort operation in the Strait of Hormuz [2].
"We welcome President Trump's decision to pause Project Freedom, which will help de-escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz," Sharif said [2].
U.S. officials presented the pause of the escort operation as a confidence-building measure [2]. The move is intended to create space for advancing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran [2].
Pakistan has historically sought a balanced relationship with both Washington and Tehran. By endorsing these peace-building efforts, Sharif is positioning Pakistan as a supportive partner in the effort to stabilize the Persian Gulf region [1, 2].
“"President Trump's extraordinary efforts to pursue peace are commendable and very useful for the region."”
The synchronization of a multi-nation call with the suspension of Project Freedom suggests a coordinated attempt by the U.S. to pivot from military deterrence to diplomatic engagement. For Pakistan, supporting these moves allows the government to align with U.S. security interests while maintaining its role as a regional mediator, potentially reducing the risk of a wider conflict in the Strait of Hormuz that would disrupt global energy markets.
