Shehbaz to take part in meeting of ‘select’ Muslim leaders with Trump: FO

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will participate in a meeting of “select” Muslim leaders with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York, the Foreign Office said in a statement on Sunday.

“The prime minister will also participate in a meeting of select Islamic leaders with US President Trump to exchange views on issues pertaining to regional and international peace and security,” the FO said.

The FO statement said Premier Shehbaz would lead Pakistan’s delegation to the high-level segment of the UNGA, scheduled to begin on Sept 22, 2025. “He will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as other ministers and senior government officials,” the statement added.

At UNGA, PM Shehbaz would urge the international community to resolve the situations of prolonged occupation and denial of the right to self-determination in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine.

“He will draw the attention of the international community towards the grave crisis in Gaza, and call for decisive action to end the suffering of the Palestinians,” the FO statement read.

The statement said that PM would also highlight Pakistan’s perspective on the regional security situation, as well as other issues of international concern, including climate change, terrorism, Islamophobia, and sustainable development.

The premier will further attend several high-level events on the sidelines of the UNGA session, including important meetings of the UN Security Council, a high-level meeting of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and a special high-level event on climate action, among others, it added.

During the visit, the prime minister will have bilateral meetings on the sidelines with several world leaders and senior UN officials for an exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.

“He will also underline Pakistan’s resolve to work with all UN member states to uphold the UN Charter, prevent conflict, foster peace and promote global prosperity in Pakistan’s current role as a member of the Security Council.

“The prime minister’s participation in this biggest annual gathering of global leaders will showcase Pakistan’s strong commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations and to highlight Pakistan’s longstanding contribution towards the shared objectives of peace and development,” it was further added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing a gathering of overseas Pakistanis in London, congratulated the nation and expatriates on the “great victory” of May 10 against India. He said the ceasefire achieved after the recent conflict reflected Pakistan’s pursuit of peace, progress, and prosperity, as well as its resolve to eradicate unemployment and poverty.

The prime minister stressed that Pakistan has consistently sought dialogue with India. “I have made this offer so many times in the past. We want to discuss Kashmir, water, trade and terrorism issues, not because of weakness, but on equal terms,” he said. “As neighbours, the onus lies upon us whether to live in peace or in conflict.”

Shehbaz made it clear that without resolution of the Kashmir dispute, there could be no meaningful bilateral ties. “Anyone thinking otherwise is living in a fool’s paradise,” he remarked, asserting that the Kashmiri people would one day achieve their right to self-determination.

Highlighting the unity and solidarity that defined the recent confrontation, the prime minister termed the May 10 outcome a great triumph that delivered a lasting lesson to the enemy. Referring to India’s allegations over the Pahalgam incident, he said Pakistan had even offered an international probe to disprove the baseless claims, but New Delhi did not respond.

Recalling the events, Shehbaz Sharif said that on May 6, India launched aggression targeting civilians and assets inside Pakistan, resulting in casualties. In retaliation, Pakistan’s defence forces downed six enemy fighter jets in one operation, sending a strong message of deterrence. He revealed that during the attacks, Field Marshal Asim Munir had phoned him with full confidence, seeking permission to respond decisively.

Addressing the nation in a speech broadcast on Sunday, the prime minister credited Pakistan’s success in Marka-e-Haq, Bunyanum Marsoos to two factors: the valour, professionalism, and cutting-edge skills of the armed forces under divine guidance, and the unity between military and political leadership. He praised Field Marshal Asim Munir for leading from the front, the Pakistan Air Force for unmatched excellence under its air chief, and the 240 million Pakistanis who stood united against aggression.

Shehbaz further claimed that due to this military, diplomatic, and economic resilience, Pakistan’s green passport was regaining respect across the world.

On foreign policy, he expressed grief over the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, condemning the killing of 64,000 Palestinians. “The world has not witnessed such heart-breaking scenes,” he said, urging the Islamic world and international community to take urgent steps to end the crisis.

Turning to economic matters, the prime minister praised the overseas Pakistanis, whom he described as the country’s ambassadors abroad, contributing $38.5 billion in remittances last year. He acknowledged that without their efforts, Pakistan’s economy could not have moved forward.

Shehbaz stressed that nations only rise with hard work, sincerity, and determination, adding that Pakistan must free itself from loans and achieve sustainable economic strength to be treated with respect by the world’s leading economies. Referring to Pakistan’s youth, which makes up 60 per cent of the population, he said they were both a challenge and an opportunity. With IT training and modern knowledge, he added, they could propel Pakistan into a new era of progress.

Concluding his speech, the prime minister urged unity and solidarity as the foremost priority, expressing confidence that economic indicators were improving and Pakistan’s diplomatic standing was strengthening.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, speaking at the event, lauded the role of overseas Pakistanis, calling them the country’s true diplomats and a vital bridge between Pakistan and their host nations.

He recalled that in 2022, when the incumbent government assumed power, Pakistan was on the verge of default and global rating agencies were even setting dates for the crisis. “The nation salutes the prime minister for his dynamic leadership that steered Pakistan away from collapse and ensured an economic turnaround,” Dar said.

Pointing to falling inflation and interest rates, he assured that the government was committed to economic empowerment and stability.

Dar also dismissed the perception that Pakistan was diplomatically isolated in the past, noting that under the current leadership, the country had regained prominence on the world stage. He cited the successful hosting of international events and Pakistan’s securing of 182 votes for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council as evidence of renewed global confidence.

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain said the Pakistani diaspora was a valuable national asset whose status had been elevated globally due to the incumbent government’s efforts.

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif highlighted that despite economic challenges, the government had achieved significant progress, crediting overseas Pakistanis—particularly those in the Gulf—for contributing over $38 billion in remittances, which he termed the country’s economic lifeline. He said Pakistan had inflicted an unprecedented defeat on India and called the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia defence agreement a landmark milestone, noting that civilian and military leadership were united in steering the nation toward prosperity.

Chairman Overseas Pakistani Foundation Qamar Raza also lauded the prime minister’s personal commitment to resolving issues faced by expatriates.