New York, September 24, 2025: On the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a series of high-profile meetings with global financial leaders and joined Muslim and Arab heads of state in a critical engagement with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the situation in Gaza and regional stability.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. The Prime Minister appreciated the IMF’s longstanding constructive partnership with Pakistan and underscored his government’s progress on meeting key program targets and commitments. He emphasized that the devastating impacts of recent floods on Pakistan’s economy must be duly factored into the IMF’s upcoming review.
Georgieva expressed solidarity with flood-affected communities in Pakistan and highlighted the importance of accurate damage assessments for effective recovery measures. She also commended the Prime Minister’s commitment to strong macroeconomic policies.
Separately, the Prime Minister held talks with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb also attended the meeting. Shehbaz Sharif praised Banga’s leadership in streamlining operations and mobilizing private-sector resources, while also acknowledging the World Bank’s consistent support to Pakistan during COVID-19 and the catastrophic 2022 floods. He briefed Banga on his government’s comprehensive reform agenda. The World Bank chief welcomed Pakistan’s reform efforts and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment as a stronger development partner.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended the Arab-Islamic Summit convened in New York, where U.S. President Donald Trump met with leaders from Pakistan, Türkiye, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and Indonesia to discuss the Gaza crisis.
Speaking to the media after the nearly 50-minute meeting, President Trump described his engagement with Muslim and Arab leaders as “very successful,” adding that it paved the way for possible progress on Gaza. “We want to end the Gaza war and ensure the release of all hostages,” he said, noting that discussions with Israeli leadership would also take place soon. Trump emphasized that resolving conflicts that the U.S. “did not start” remains a key priority.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held an informal exchange with President Trump and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in a cordial atmosphere following the summit. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan termed the U.S.–Muslim leaders’ engagement “highly useful,” praising the constructive dialogue on Gaza and broader Middle East issues.
Muslim leaders presented proposals for a Gaza ceasefire, while President Trump stressed the urgency of halting hostilities and reaffirmed the U.S. expectation that Russia must also act to end ongoing conflicts. He hailed the summit as an “honor” and commended the contributions of Muslim leaders.
The Prime Minister’s engagements at the UNGA highlight Pakistan’s active role in global financial and diplomatic forums, as the country seeks support for economic resilience and advocates for peace in the Middle East.
