Washington (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded his two-day visit to Washington on Friday, securing US commitment to enhance cooperation in critical minerals and energy sectors while reaffirming counterterrorism collaboration between the two countries.
During his visit, the prime minister met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss recalibrating bilateral ties toward greater economic engagement and investment, alongside maintaining security cooperation, according to a statement from the United States Department of State.
Rubio thanked Pakistan for supporting President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace initiative and for its role 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 sustained counterterrorism cooperation.
Discussions included Pakistan’s participation in the Critical Minerals Ministerial, with US officials welcoming Islamabad’s engagement and exploring commercial prospects for American companies in Pakistan’s energy and mineral sectors.
Read More: PM Shehbaz Holds Talks with Rubio, Addresses Gaza Peace Forum
According to Pakistan’s Press Information Department, both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress in strategic ties and agreed to expand trade, strengthen economic cooperation, and maintain high-level dialogue to advance shared objectives.
Prime Minister Shehbaz credited President Trump with helping defuse a four-day military crisis between Pakistan and India in May. Addressing the summit, he described Trump as “a man of peace” whose intervention contributed to de-escalation in South Asia.
Trump, in his remarks, recalled urging both countries to resolve tensions, stating that trade negotiations could be halted if hostilities continued. He also praised Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership for what he termed a constructive role in promoting regional stability, referencing his meeting with the prime minister and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
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On the sidelines of the Board of Peace session, Prime Minister Shehbaz held informal interactions with several leaders, including King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain and the presidents of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia. Officials described Pakistan’s participation in the forum as part of its broader commitment to peace in Gaza and global stability.
Separately, the prime minister met Benjamin Black, Chief Executive of the US International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC). He welcomed the agency’s portfolio of over $1 billion in Pakistan and encouraged deeper business-to-business engagement. Black outlined IDFC’s project pipeline and indicated interest in expanding its footprint in the country.
