Iran allows 20 more Pakistani ships through Strait of Hormuz: Dar

• Deputy PM Dar confirms two ships will cross daily, calling it a step toward peace and stability

• Hails Iran’s gesture as constructive and confidence-building amid Middle East tensions

 ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday announced that the government of Iran has agreed to allow 20 additional Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with two vessels crossing daily, state media reported.

In a post on X, FM Dar said: "I am pleased to share that Iran has agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to transit the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will cross daily. This is a welcome and constructive gesture by Iran and deserves appreciation. It is a harbinger of peace and will help usher stability in the region. This positive announcement marks a meaningful step toward peace and will strengthen our collective efforts in that direction. Dialogue, diplomacy, and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward."

I am pleased to share a great news that the Government of Iran has agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will cross the Strait daily.

This is a welcome and constructive gesture by Iran and deserves appreciation. It…

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) March 28, 2026

Egyptian and Turkish FMs arrive in Islamabad

Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Islamabad on official visits at the invitation of FM Dar to attend a quadrilateral meeting on the evolving regional situation, scheduled for March 29–30.

FM of Türkiye Hakan Fidan @HakanFidan has arrived in Islamabad along with Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and Egypt for consultations on efforts aimed at de-escalation in the region. He was received by AS (Afghanistan & West Asia) Syed Ali Asad Gillani at Nur Khan Airbase. FM… pic.twitter.com/EXUXFJ3Gaa

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 28, 2026

During the visit, the foreign ministers will hold consultations on regional developments and meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The delegation’s visit reflects Pakistan’s close and brotherly ties with Egypt and Turkiye and continued coordination on regional and international issues.

Additional Foreign Secretary Syed Ahmed Maroof received the Egyptian Foreign Minister at the airport, while Additional Foreign Secretary Afghanistan and West Asia Syed Ali Asad Gilani received the Turkish Foreign Minister.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty arrived in Islamabad on an official visit at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister/Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. During the visit, he will hold consultations on regional developments and call on the Prime… pic.twitter.com/yy3kgvIpT9

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 28, 2026

Pakistani ships transit the Strait of Hormuz

Earlier, sources in the Ministry of Maritime Affairs confirmed that Iran had permitted two Pakistani cargo ships, Multan and P-Akili, to transit the strategic Strait of Hormuz — a key global oil supply route.

The vessels, previously held after Iranian forces assumed control of the strait, have now crossed and are en route to Karachi, expected to dock at Karachi Port on March 31. Multan is a general cargo ship, while P-Akili is carrying over 80 million litres of crude oil. Iranian authorities provided an escort until the vessels cleared the strait’s flashpoint line.

This move comes amid ongoing mediation efforts by Pakistan, in coordination with Turkiye and Egypt, to curb the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

It marks the second Pakistani ship transit since the conflict began on February 28, following a previous oil tanker that crossed the strait on March 16.

The Middle East remains on high alert following the joint US-Israel offensive on Iran, which began on February 28 and has reportedly caused over 1,900 deaths, including the then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.