PM terms meeting with President Trump ‘very encouraging’

Shehbaz discusses IWT, floods with UN’s Guterres

ISLAMABAD:  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has termed his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump as “very encouraging”.

His came after the two leaders had their first formal bilateral interaction at the Oval Office in Washington on Thursday.

During an interaction with the media in New Jersey, which was aired on Saturday morning, the premier said the US was ready to share “techniques” with Pakistan in the areas of artificial intelligence, information technology and agriculture. The PM added that the US was also open to investment opportunities in the country.

“We have signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with one of their delegations,” he said, without sharing any further details.

PM Shehbaz said Pakistan’s economy has “stabilised at the macro level” and also credited overseas Pakistanis for their contributions and efforts. “No amount of gratitude is enough,” he said.

The premier also hailed Field Marshal Asim Munir for leading the nation “from the front” during a four-day military encounter between Pakistan in India in May.

“He led Pakistan with courage, boldness, and intelligence,” the PM said.

Soon after the escalation, Pakistan had said it had downed six Indian jets. However, the PM said on Friday that the number of downed Indian jets was seven.

During the meeting, they discussed regional security and cooperation along the lines of counter-terrorism, among other matters.

The premier was accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, while the US President was joined by US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The meeting itself was closed to the press — a break from President Trump’s usual modus operandi — as he is quite fond of Oval Office photo-ops and there was no press conference either; just a statement issued from Pakistan where the US president was described as a “man of peace” and stressing the need to enhance cooperation in security and intelligence.

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz met UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York. He told the UN chief that the world body needs to step up and play a stronger role in tackling global problems.

The prime minister praised Guterres for his work in promoting peace and stability worldwide. He also thanked the UN for acknowledging Pakistan’s flood relief efforts. “Thousands of people were affected,” he said, “and the UN’s recognition really matters.” Shehbaz stressed that countries hit hardest by climate change need extra support.

He also raised the Kashmir issue, noting India’s decision to keep the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, and urged the UN to ensure fair action.

Turning to Gaza, the prime minister called for an immediate ceasefire.

After completing his visit to the US, PM Shehbaz left New York for London via Geneva.

Sources said the prime minister will stop in Geneva to visit former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

He will also brief the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leadership on his US trip.

Shehbaz is expected to reach London on Saturday, where he will stay for three days, sources added. Monitoring Desk