By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump as “very encouraging,” signaling a potential warming of ties between Washington and Islamabad after years of strained relations.
Speaking to reporters in New Jersey on Saturday, Sharif outlined discussions that spanned counter-terrorism, artificial intelligence, and economic cooperation, while also touting Pakistan’s stabilising economy and its military’s recent triumph over India in a brief but intense conflict.
The Oval Office meeting on Thursday marked the first formal bilateral engagement between Sharif and Trump, accompanied by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The closed-door session, a departure from Trump’s usual penchant for public photo opportunities, produced no joint press conference, but a Pakistani statement described Trump as a “man of peace” and emphasised enhanced security and intelligence cooperation.
In remarks aired on private news channels, Sharif said the United States was prepared to share expertise in artificial intelligence, information technology, and agriculture. “A very good meeting was held with President Trump in a favourable atmosphere,” he said. “Trump spoke very encouragingly about trade relations with Pakistan as well as joint ventures and investment. He instructed US companies to immediately go to Pakistan and discuss investment opportunities.”
“We have signed an MoU with one of their delegations,” he said, declining to provide specifics. He also noted U.S. openness to investment in Pakistan, particularly in trade, minerals, and cryptocurrency, adding that tariff issues and trade agreements would be resolved “fairly and in mutual interest.”
Sharif emphasised his appreciation for Trump’s intervention in regional tensions. “I once again thanked President Trump for playing a key role—along with his team—in stopping the war between Pakistan and India in the region,” he said.
“I conveyed gratitude to him on behalf of Pakistan’s 240 million people, the government, and himself, for his wise and proactive approach in ensuring the ceasefire, which the Pakistani nation highly appreciated,” the PM said.
Sharif, speaking after delivering a landmark address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, highlighted Pakistan’s economic progress. “Just a few years ago, the country faced serious challenges,” he said. “When we took office, inflation was at 32%, and the policy rate was 22.5%. In just one and a half years, inflation has fallen into single digits, and the policy rate is down to 11%. At the micro level, the economy is now stable.”
He credited overseas Pakistanis for their role in this recovery, noting that their remittances reached $38.5 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year. “Their support has been crucial for Pakistan’s economic stability,” Sharif said, calling them “great ambassadors” of the nation. “No amount of gratitude is enough.”
Sharif reserved high praise for Field Marshal Munir, who he said led Pakistan “with courage, boldness, and intelligence” during a four-day military clash with India in May. The conflict, the worst between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in decades, erupted after India’s unprovoked assault on Pakistan, which New Delhi linked to an attack in occupied Kashmir. Pakistan has denied involvement.
“From May 6 to 10, our armed forces bravely defeated India in the war,” Sharif said. “We shot down seven enemy planes and carried out strikes at Delhi, Pathankot, and many other locations.” He noted that on May 10, US Secretary of State Rubio facilitated a ceasefire after India signaled a desire to de-escalate. “We had already won the war,” Sharif said. “We accepted the ceasefire to avoid further escalation.”
Reflecting on the outcome, he added, “Those who once never spoke properly to you are now embracing you, which shows the strength and courage of our armed forces and the victory we achieved.”
In his UNGA address, Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s desire for peace following its military success. “We have won the war, and now we seek to win peace in our part of the world,” he told the assembly. He accused India of exploiting the Pahalgam attack for political gain and spurning his offer for an independent international investigation. “Last year, from this very podium, I had warned that Pakistan would act, and act most decisively, against any external aggression,” he said. “Those words of mine proved true.”
In a separate meeting with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, Sharif urged the world body to take a stronger role in addressing global challenges, particularly climate change and the Kashmir dispute. He criticized India’s decision to suspend the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty, which governs shared river resources, and called for U.N. intervention to ensure fairness. He also thanked Guterres for recognizing Pakistan’s efforts in flood relief, noting that “thousands of people were affected, and the U.N.’s recognition really matters.”
On Gaza, Sharif demanded an immediate ceasefire and swift delivery of humanitarian aid, advocating for the establishment of a Palestinian state. “Pakistan will continue to work for peace,” he said. “As a Security Council member, we have to do our part.” Guterres, in response, praised Pakistan’s consistent contributions to global dialogue and stability.
Sharif’s US visit capped a series of high-profile international engagements, including what he described as an “unprecedented” reception in Saudi Arabia. After departing New York, he headed to London via Geneva, where he is expected to meet former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and brief Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leadership on his US trip.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
