Washington, September 25, 2025: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday praised United States President Donald Trump as a “man of peace,” crediting him with helping avert a major crisis in South Asia and lauding his role in efforts to end the war in Gaza.
The remarks came during a warm meeting at the Oval Office, where PM Shehbaz, accompanied by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, held over an hour-long discussion with the US leader. The meeting was also attended by US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz credited Trump’s “bold and decisive actions” with facilitating the ceasefire between Pakistan and India earlier this year, which he said prevented a “major catastrophe” in the region.
On the Middle East, the premier praised Trump’s diplomatic outreach, particularly his initiative to host Muslim leaders in New York earlier this week to discuss peace in Gaza and the West Bank.
Shehbaz also thanked Trump for the tariff arrangements concluded between Islamabad and Washington earlier this year, while inviting American companies to invest in Pakistan’s agriculture, IT, minerals, and energy sectors.
“The longstanding Pakistan-US partnership is set to further strengthen under President Trump’s leadership,” the premier said, adding that both nations stood to benefit from deeper cooperation in trade, counter-terrorism, and intelligence sharing.
The prime minister extended an invitation for Trump to visit Pakistan, calling it an opportunity to deepen bilateral ties.
Ahead of the meeting, President Trump described PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir as “great people,” underscoring his administration’s commitment to advancing US interests in the region.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif hailed the development as another milestone in what he described as Pakistan’s “year of achievements,” pointing to the recent military victory over India, a defence pact with Saudi Arabia, and improved ties with Washington.
Political analyst Qamar Cheema called the Oval Office engagement a “watershed moment,” reflecting a shift in bilateral ties from a security-heavy focus to one centered on geo-economics. He highlighted Trump’s announcement of US companies launching oil exploration projects in Pakistan as a potential economic boost.
Meanwhile, journalist Faiz Rehman noted that Pakistan’s deep cultural and historical ties with Iran placed it in a unique position to mediate regional conflicts, adding that Washington appeared to see Islamabad as a partner capable of balancing diplomacy, security, and trade.
Relations between Washington and Islamabad have warmed considerably since Pakistan and India clashed earlier this year. Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos in response to Indian aggression, shooting down six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales. The conflict ended in May after a US-brokered ceasefire, with Islamabad nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The United States and Pakistan subsequently finalized a trade deal on July 31, introducing a 19% tariff arrangement—an agreement still pending with India.
A senior State Department official, speaking earlier this week, said the US president remained focused on advancing American interests in South Asia by “engaging with Pakistan and their government leaders.”
Analysts argue that India’s strained ties with Washington, coupled with Islamabad’s firm stance on Palestine and Iran, have elevated Pakistan’s global standing, placing it at the heart of both South Asian and Middle Eastern diplomacy.
