Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is slated to meet with US President Donald Trump during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) annual session, scheduled in New York between September 22 and 26. The Pakistani delegation includes Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with other officials. The meeting will also include a session with selected Muslim leaders.
The Pakistani foreign office has confirmed that discussions will focus on regional and international peace and security. Shehbaz plans to advocate for solutions to ongoing issues. He will also highlight the situation in Gaza and call for actions supporting Palestinian interests.
Shehbaz Sharif also intends to discuss global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, Islamophobia, and sustainable development. He is set to attend several events including UN Security Council meetings, global development initiatives, and climate action discussions. Bilateral meetings with various world leaders and senior UN officials are also scheduled.
Shehbaz Sharif will reaffirm Pakistan’s dedication to the UN Charter, highlighting Pakistan’s role in peace, security, and global development. The Pakistani foreign office indicates that his presence at the UNGA underscores Pakistan’s strong support for multilateralism and the UN.
This meeting represents the first encounter between Shehbaz Sharif and Trump since Shehbaz took office this January. Trump had previously invited the Pakistani army chief to the White House. This meeting is happening against a backdrop of rising tensions in the Middle East. Recent Israeli actions targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar have been condemned by America’s Arab allies. Pakistan also took part in the Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation meetings regarding this issue.
Following the attacks in Doha, Trump had a dinner with the Prime Minister of Qatar in New York and criticized Israel’s actions. The US Secretary of State stated that the US-Israel relationship will remain consistent. Experts believe the Israeli actions in Qatar have undermined American credibility, as Arab countries seek to ensure their security through avenues beyond the United States.
In a related development, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have recently formalized a defense agreement, declaring that an attack on either nation would be considered an attack on both.