A much-anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and US President Donald Trump was held at the White House in Washington, DC.
PM Shehbaz had arrived in the US capital on Wednesday alongside a Pakistani delegation. According to state-run PTV, the premier was welcomed upon his arrival at the Andrews Airbase with a red carpet by senior US Air Force officials.
It added that Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir accompanied the premier.
Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Trump said that a “great leader” was coming to the White House.
“We’ve got the prime minister of Pakistan coming and the field marshal … [he’s] a great great guy and so is the prime minister, both,” he told reporters.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz held separate meetings with Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Professor Muhammad Yunus and Chair of Gates Foundation Bill Gates on the sidelines of 80th session of UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz attended the Arab-Islamic Summit hosted by US President Donald Trump and the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
He met International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President Ajay Banga as well a day ago.
During his meeting with Dr Yunus, the premier has emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to building constructive and forward looking ties with Bangladesh, rooted in mutual respect, trust and shared aspirations of regional peace and prosperity.
The two leaders reviewed the current state of Pakistan-Bangladesh bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in diverse areas including trade, regional connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, the PM Office said on Thursday.
The chief adviser of Bangladesh appreciated Pakistan’s initiative to deepen engagement and highlighted the importance of enhancing bilateral trade and cultural linkages.
The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, reflecting the mutual commitment of both countries to work together for the well-being of their people and stability of South Asia.
In meeting with Gates, the prime minister expressed appreciation for the Gates Foundation’s generous donation for Pakistan’s recent floods 2025 while recalling the Foundation’s significant contribution for relief efforts during the 2022 floods.
The premier appreciated the valuable support extended by the Gates Foundation to Pakistan for polio eradication efforts, improving immunisation and nutrition as well as financial inclusion in the country, the PMO said.
PM Shehbaz stressed that polio eradication remained a high priority for the government and partnership with the Gates Foundation would remain vital to achieve this objective.
While emphasising on the government’s initiative of extensive economic reforms, cashless digitisation and revitalisation of economy, he especially acknowledged the practical, positive and valuable cooperation of Gates Foundation.
The prime minister and Gates reaffirmed their shared commitment to continue working together to advance the cooperation in sectors of health, nutrition, digital transformation and larger socio-economic development of the country.
Separately, PM Shehbaz on Thursday inaugurated Pakistan’s first-ever comprehensive energy circular debt elimination plan, describing it as a “historic breakthrough” that will pave the way for sustainable reforms in the power sector.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the prime minister lauded the collective efforts of the government, financial institutions, and the task force for successfully negotiating and finalizing the plan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif joined the ceremony via video link from New York.