PM Shehbaz to Meet Trump Today, Confirms US Official

News Desk

Washington/Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, a senior Trump administration official confirmed, marking a significant moment in the recent warming of bilateral ties between Islamabad and Washington.

The meeting, set to take place weeks after the two countries signed a trade deal, will cover a broad agenda including regional security, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation. Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is also expected to join the talks.

Relations between the US and Pakistan have seen renewed momentum under Trump, after years in which Washington tilted toward New Delhi as a counterweight to China’s growing influence in Asia. However, recent trade frictions with India including visa restrictions, tariff disputes, and Trump’s claim of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May have altered the regional dynamic.

The US-Pakistan trade deal, signed on July 31, included a 19% tariff rate imposed by Washington. While Trump has yet to conclude a similar agreement with India, Islamabad has welcomed the deal as a step forward in strengthening economic ties.

Earlier this year, Trump hosted Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House, the first time a US president welcomed Pakistan’s army chief without senior civilian officials present — a move seen as underscoring the military’s central role in the country’s power structure.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/pm-shehbaz-yunus-vow-to-deepen-pakistan-bangladesh-ties/

Speaking ahead of the Shehbaz-Trump meeting, a senior State Department official told reporters: “We’re working through a number of issues when it comes to counterterrorism, when it comes to economic and trade ties. The president remains focused on advancing US interests in the region, and that includes engaging with Pakistan and their government leaders.”

The official downplayed strains with India, stressing that Washington considered New Delhi a close partner and expected the relationship to define the 21st century, despite ongoing challenges. The US is also working with India, Australia, and Japan on planning the next Quad summit, which may take place later this year or in early 2026.

Prime Minister Shehbaz was also among leaders of Muslim-majority countries who met Trump on Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where the US president discussed peace proposals amid Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza.

Islamabad has voiced support for Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize nomination, citing his role in easing India-Pakistan tensions, even as Pakistan has strongly condemned US ally Israel’s actions in Gaza.