Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio held high-level talks in Washington, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade, economic ties, and counterterrorism cooperation between Pakistan and the United States.
According to a US State Department statement, discussions focused on critical minerals development, energy cooperation, and expanding commercial opportunities for American companies in Pakistan. Secretary Rubio appreciated Pakistan’s support for President Donald Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan and welcomed Islamabad’s participation as a founding member of the Board of Peace.
During the meeting, Secretary Rubio extended condolences over the January 31 attacks in Balochistan and the February 6 bombing in Islamabad. He emphasized the importance of continued counterterrorism collaboration between the two countries to ensure regional stability.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to work closely with the Board of Peace to implement the Gaza reconstruction plan. He highlighted the need to end ceasefire violations in Gaza and stressed that sustainable peace requires protection of civilian lives and adherence to UN Security Council resolutions.
Both leaders underscored the importance of Pakistan-US strategic relations and expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in bilateral cooperation. They agreed to expand economic engagement, boost trade ties, and strengthen collaboration in energy and mineral resource development.
The talks also acknowledged President Trump’s mediation role in easing tensions during the Pakistan-India crisis in May 2025. Prime Minister Shehbaz praised what he described as bold diplomacy that helped stabilize the South Asian region.
Separately, the Prime Minister met several global leaders attending the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, including leaders from Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia. Discussions focused on regional stability, reconstruction initiatives, and global peace efforts.
The Washington visit highlights Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach and efforts to expand economic, energy, and strategic cooperation with the United States.
