WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday and advanced discussions on critical minerals, energy cooperation, counterterrorism and expanded American investment, the US State Department said.
Rubio thanked Pakistan for supporting President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan and for joining the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace as a founding member. He also conveyed condolences over the Jan 31 attacks in Balochistan and the Feb 6 bombing in Islamabad, while reaffirming continued counterterrorism cooperation.
Moreover, both sides reviewed Pakistan’s participation in the recent Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington. The United States welcomed Islamabad’s engagement and explored commercial opportunities for American companies in Pakistan’s energy and mineral sectors.
According to Pakistan’s Press Information Department, Shehbaz congratulated Rubio and President Trump on launching the Board of Peace and reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to help implement the Gaza peace plan. Additionally, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral ties and agreed to boost trade and economic cooperation.
In a post on X, Rubio reiterated appreciation for Pakistan’s support. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar responded by emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding relationship with Washington.
Shehbaz Urges End to Gaza Ceasefire Violations
Earlier, addressing the Board of Peace’s inaugural session, Shehbaz stressed the urgent need to end ceasefire violations in Gaza to ensure lasting peace and reconstruction. He called for Palestinian self-determination in line with UN resolutions.
Meanwhile, Trump praised his mediation during the May 2025 Pakistan-India crisis, saying economic pressure helped de-escalate tensions. Shehbaz credited Trump’s diplomacy for averting wider conflict.
Separately, the prime minister met leaders from Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Indonesia to discuss regional and global issues.
