Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss peace efforts in Gaza. Shehbaz called Trump a “champion of peace” and praised his role in avoiding conflict between Pakistan and India. The two leaders focused on ending the Gaza war and securing the release of hostages. This high-stakes meeting followed Shehbaz’s participation in a major Arab-Islamic summit in New York.
At the summit, Muslim leaders from Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, Indonesia, and other countries urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Qatar’s Emir offered to mediate peace talks while stressing the US’s key role. Turkish President Erdogan called the discussions “fruitful,” and King Abdullah of Jordan also joined calls for peace. Meanwhile, President Trump emphasized that ending the war is the most urgent priority.
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Shehbaz praised Trump’s peace efforts and highlighted the importance of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Trump, however, warned that recognizing Palestine amid violence would reward Hamas’s actions. Instead, he supported a ceasefire linked to the release of hostages. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the call for a negotiated peace agreement to resolve the conflict.
Informal exchange followed the dialogue between President Trump and leaders of eight Islamic-Arab countries, including Pakistan. Prime Minister @CMShehbaz and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator @MIshaqDar50 joined President @realDonaldTrump in the discussion. pic.twitter.com/Ku0Iaycha8
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 23, 2025
The Arab-Islamic Summit saw broad participation from regional leaders committed to ending the Gaza conflict. The UAE’s foreign minister stressed support for a ceasefire and freeing hostages as vital steps. After the summit, Trump and Shehbaz held informal talks to strengthen cooperation on peace efforts. Both leaders expressed hope for progress and pledged continued collaboration.
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Trump later told the media the meeting was “very good” and confirmed Israel would join future negotiations. He expressed optimism that a solution to the Gaza crisis could soon be reached. As tensions remain high, all parties agreed that peaceful dialogue is the only way forward. The world now watches closely for steps toward lasting peace in the region.