Pakistan Prime Minister to Hold First Direct Meeting with Trump at UNGA with Select Muslim Leaders

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to participate in a meeting with US President Donald Trump alongside a select group of Muslim leaders in New York during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This was announced by Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO). The FO stated that the Prime Minister will engage with President Trump and other Islamic leaders to discuss regional and international peace and security issues. Shehbaz will lead the Pakistani delegation to the UNGA’s high-level segment, accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other officials, beginning September 22. His address at the UNGA will focus on urging the international community to address situations of prolonged occupation and denial of self-determination rights, particularly in Palestine and India-occupied Kashmir. He will also bring attention to the crisis in Gaza and call for action to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. Furthermore, the Prime Minister plans to present Pakistan’s stance on regional security challenges and global issues such as climate change, terrorism, Islamophobia, and sustainable development. His engagements in New York will include participation in high-level events like UN Security Council meetings, a session of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and a special event on Climate Action. He is also expected to meet with UN officials and world leaders to discuss matters of mutual concern. The FO emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, stating that the Prime Minister’s participation will reflect the country’s strong dedication to the UN and its contributions to peace and development. The upcoming meeting will mark Shehbaz Sharif’s first direct interaction with Trump since taking office. The meeting follows heightened tensions in the Middle East, including an incident where Israel killed Hamas officials in Doha, which drew condemnation from Arab states and prompted a joint session of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Following the incident, Trump initially expressed unhappiness with the attack, though US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified that the US-Israeli relationship would not change. Amid these developments, Shehbaz and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a mutual defense agreement.