• Rubio praises Pakistan’s support for Gaza plan, peace board role
• US signals cooperation on critical minerals
• PM meets regional leaders, IDFC chief
WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded a two-day visit to Washington on Friday, securing US assurances of cooperation in the energy and critical minerals sectors after reaffirming Islamabad’s support for President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace initiative and commending his role in easing last year’s regional tensions.
During his visit, the premier met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss broadening bilateral ties toward economic investment while sustaining collaboration in counterterrorism, according to a US State Department statement.
Rubio thanked Pakistan for backing the US-led Gaza peace proposal and acknowledged its participation as a founding member of the “Board of Peace,” which held its inaugural session in Washington. He also conveyed condolences over recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
Talks included Pakistan’s recent engagement at the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington. The US welcomed Islamabad’s participation and explored commercial prospects for American firms in Pakistan’s energy and mineral sectors.
Pakistan’s Press Information Department said both sides reaffirmed the value of strategic ties and expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved under President Trump’s administration. They agreed to enhance trade, expand economic cooperation and strengthen counterterrorism coordination, while underscoring the need for sustained high-level engagement.
Praise for Trump’s diplomacy
At the summit, PM Shehbaz credited President Trump with helping defuse a four-day military standoff between Pakistan and India in May, describing him as “a man of peace” whose intervention prevented wider conflict in South Asia.
Trump, addressing participants, said he had warned both countries that the US could suspend trade negotiations and impose tariffs if tensions were not reduced. He suggested the economic pressure contributed to de-escalation.
In his remarks, Trump also commended Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership — including a reference to Field Marshal Asim Munir — for what he termed a responsible approach to regional stability.
PM Shehbaz, in turn, praised Trump’s diplomacy and leadership in addressing international crises.
Meetings on the sidelines
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier held informal discussions with several leaders attending the Board of Peace session, including King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain and the presidents of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Indonesia. Pakistan’s participation was described as part of its broader commitment to peace in Gaza and global stability efforts.
Separately, the prime minister met Benjamin Black, chief executive of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC). He appreciated the corporation’s investment portfolio exceeding $1 billion in Pakistan and encouraged stronger business-to-business ties. Black outlined the IDFC’s project pipeline and indicated interest in expanding its presence in the country.
Officials downplayed expectations of major agreements, suggesting the visit was focused more on setting a strategic direction for future cooperation than announcing headline deals.