ISLAMABAD:
Days after US President Donald Trump hosted Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday held a telephone conversation, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation and promoting regional peace.
During what officials described as a “warm and cordial” exchange, the prime minister conveyed his best wishes for the US president and lauded his “bold leadership”.
He particularly appreciated Secretary Rubio’s diplomatic efforts in facilitating a ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India, a move that helped avert a major crisis between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
“The prime minister welcomed President Trump’s positive statements about Pakistan, calling them encouraging for lasting peace in South Asia,” read a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with India on all outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, the Indus Waters Treaty, trade and counterterrorism.
The two leaders also discussed the escalating situation in the Middle East, particularly the Iran-Israel conflict. The prime minister stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to defuse the crisis and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to play a constructive role in any peace efforts. “The current situation is alarming, not just for the region, but for the entire world,” he said.
On the economic front, Shehbaz emphasized the need to build on President Trump’s focus on trade. He called for greater cooperation in sectors such as investment, energy, rare earth metals, mining, and information technology. He noted that strengthening economic ties was key to mutual prosperity.
Touching on security and counterterrorism, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country, especially threats posed by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist outfits. Secretary Rubio commended Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism operations and assured continued US support in combating these threats.
The two leaders also reviewed the recent visit of Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Washington, describing his talks with President Trump as “cordial and productive.” They agreed on the need to translate this diplomatic momentum into tangible outcomes across multiple domains.
Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and renewed his invitation for President Trump to visit Pakistan. Shehab also expressed his desire to meet the US President. He also extended a separate invitation to Secretary Rubio for an early visit.
Secretary Rubio thanked the prime minister for the conversation and expressed Washington’s desire to expand cooperation across areas of mutual interest. He acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts in maintaining the ceasefire with India and encouraged Islamabad to continue leveraging its ties with Tehran to support peace initiatives in the Middle East.
The conversation, officials noted, signals a new chapter in Pakistan-US relations, with both sides expressing a firm intent to work together for regional stability and global peace.
