WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Thursday, where both sides discussed cooperation in critical minerals, energy, counter-terrorism and prospects for enhanced American investment.
According to a statement issued by the US State Department, Secretary Rubio thanked Pakistan for supporting President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace initiative and for participating as a founding member of the newly formed Board of Peace. He also conveyed condolences over the January 31 attacks in Balochistan and the February 6 bombing in Islamabad, reaffirming the importance of continued counter-terrorism cooperation.
The discussions also covered Pakistan’s participation in the recent Critical Minerals Ministerial held in Washington. The United States welcomed Islamabad’s engagement and explored avenues for collaboration in developing Pakistan’s energy and mineral resources, along with expanding commercial opportunities for American companies.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in a post on X, appreciated the meeting and emphasized that Pakistan values its longstanding ties with the United States. He described the talks as meaningful, focusing on peace efforts, counter-terrorism cooperation, and strengthening bilateral trade and economic relations.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz addressed the inaugural session of the Board of Peace, a forum formally established last month following its proposal in September 2025. In his remarks, he stressed the urgent need to end ceasefire violations in Gaza to achieve durable peace and facilitate reconstruction in the war-affected territory.
He stated that lasting peace requires an end to hostilities and called for Palestinians to exercise full control over their land and future in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. The prime minister also praised President Trump’s efforts, expressing confidence that his diplomatic engagement would help secure long-term peace in Gaza.
Under its charter, the US government serves as the board’s depository, while the Donald J Trump Institute of Peace has been designated as its headquarters. A UN Security Council resolution adopted in mid-November last year authorised the board, alongside cooperating states, to help establish an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza following the October ceasefire agreed under a Trump-backed plan.
During his address, the prime minister also credited President Trump with helping defuse the four-day Pakistan-India crisis in May 2025, saying his intervention prevented a potentially devastating escalation. President Trump, in his remarks, recalled engaging with both Islamabad and New Delhi during the crisis and warning of economic consequences if tensions continued, which he said contributed to de-escalation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz commended what he described as President Trump’s bold diplomacy and leadership in resolving global conflicts.
On the sidelines of the summit, the prime minister held informal meetings with several world leaders, including King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, and President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, discussions focused on key regional and global issues.
The Washington engagements highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to expand economic cooperation with the United States, particularly in energy and mineral development, while reinforcing its participation in international peace initiatives.
