WASHINGTON: Prime Minister PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday in a significant diplomatic engagement.
The meeting, held in the Oval Office, was described as cordial. Key discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, and addressing global and regional security issues. The Pakistani delegation included Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, while the US side was represented by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
PM Shehbaz was accorded a formal red carpet welcome upon his arrival at Andrews Air Base before his motorcade proceeded to the White House under US security.
Following the meeting, the Prime Minister and his delegation departed for New York, where he is scheduled to address the session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Also read: Trump to meet PM Shehbaz Sharif at White House today
Earlier in New York, Shehbaz Sharif and President Trump held an informal exchange on the sidelines of the Islamic Summit. The two leaders shook hands warmly and spoke in a cordial atmosphere.
During the brief interaction, Trump also shook hands with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and ended the conversation with a thumbs-up gesture toward Shehbaz Sharif. He was part of a meeting Trump had on Tuesday with leaders of many Muslim-majority countries where the U.S. president discussed Israel’s assault on Gaza.
Washington says the US president shared peace proposals with leaders from those countries in the meeting held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
During the summit, Shehbaz Sharif also met the King of Jordan, the Emir of Qatar, and the presidents of Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The leaders discussed key issues, including a possible ceasefire in Gaza.
Donald Trump welcomed Field Marshal Asim Munir earlier this year at White House, the first time a U.S. president hosted the head of Pakistan’s army – widely regarded as the most powerful figure in the cou
