WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, with both sides reviewing cooperation in critical minerals, energy, counterterrorism and avenues for expanding American investment, according to a US State Department statement.
Earlier in the day, the premier addressed the inaugural session of a Gaza peace forum led by US President Donald Trump.
The State Department said Rubio thanked Pakistan for backing Trump’s Gaza peace initiative and for participating as a founding member of the newly formed “Board of Peace”. He also conveyed condolences over the January 31 attacks in Balochistan and the February 6 bombing in Islamabad, reaffirming the importance of sustained collaboration in counterterrorism efforts.
Discussions also touched on Pakistan’s participation in the recent Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington. The United States welcomed Islamabad’s engagement and explored cooperation in developing Pakistan’s mineral and energy resources, alongside commercial prospects for American firms.
Addressing the Board of Peace — established last month after being proposed in September 2025 — Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasised the urgency of ending ceasefire violations in Gaza, calling it essential for achieving lasting peace.
“The people of Palestine have long endured illegal occupation and immense suffering. To achieve long-lasting peace, it is very important that ceasefire violations must end to preserve life and advance reconstruction efforts,” he said, adding that Palestinians should exercise full control over their land and future in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
The prime minister praised Trump’s efforts, expressing confidence that his “untiring support and great efforts” would help secure enduring peace in Gaza and shape his legacy.
Under the board’s charter, the US government serves as its depository, while the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace has been designated as its headquarters.
A UN Security Council resolution adopted in mid-November last year authorised the board, alongside cooperating states, to help establish an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza following the October ceasefire under a Trump-backed plan accepted by Israel and Hamas. However, the truce has remained fragile amid repeated violations.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz also credited Trump with helping defuse the four-day Pakistan-India crisis in May 2025, saying his intervention “potentially averted the loss of tens of millions of people” and describing him as “a man of peace” and “a saviour of South Asia”.
Speaking before the Pakistani leader, Trump recalled engaging both Islamabad and New Delhi during the conflict, stating he warned that the US would halt trade negotiations and could impose 200 per cent tariffs if hostilities continued.
“I called them and said I am not doing trade deals with you two guys if you don’t settle this up,” he said, adding that the prospect of economic consequences contributed to de-escalation.
Trump also referred to his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, and commended the premier for publicly acknowledging his role in easing tensions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, in turn, praised Trump’s “bold diplomacy” and “dynamic leadership” in addressing international crises and stabilising global flashpoints.
The Washington engagements highlighted Pakistan’s push to deepen economic ties with the United States, particularly in energy and minerals, while aligning with a US-led diplomatic initiative on Gaza and underscoring Trump’s mediation role in South Asia.
PM meets global leaders
Separately, the prime minister held informal meetings with several world leaders attending the Board of Peace session, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
He met the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto.
The statement said a range of important regional and global issues were discussed.
“Pakistan’s participation in the Board of Peace reflects its efforts toward peace in Gaza, reconstruction initiatives, global stability, and the strengthening of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach,” the PMO added.