ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alongside leaders from six Muslim nations, is set to meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York, the Foreign Office confirmed on Sunday.
Shehbaz will head Pakistan’s delegation at the annual UNGA session, which runs from September 22 to 26. He will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, senior cabinet members, and top officials.
According to diplomatic sources, Trump has invited the leaders of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Egypt for a joint meeting aimed at exchanging views on regional and global peace and security. A separate bilateral meeting between Shehbaz and Trump is also under consideration, which, if finalized, would mark their first direct engagement since Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year.
The prime minister is scheduled to address the UNGA on September 26, where he will focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging the international community to act decisively to alleviate Palestinian suffering. He is also expected to emphasize the unresolved disputes in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine, calling for the right to self-determination for both peoples.
In addition, Shehbaz will outline Pakistan’s stance on regional security and global challenges, including climate change, terrorism, Islamophobia, and sustainable development.
On the sidelines of the UNGA, the prime minister will participate in several high-level meetings, including sessions of the UN Security Council (UNSC), the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and a special climate action summit. He is also scheduled to attend a conference on the two-state solution for Palestine.
Shehbaz will reaffirm Pakistan’s role as an elected UNSC member, highlighting Islamabad’s commitment to the UN Charter, conflict prevention, and global peacebuilding. He is also likely to attend a UNSC briefing on Israeli actions in Gaza.
The prime minister’s packed agenda includes bilateral meetings with world leaders and senior UN officials. On Tuesday, he is expected to meet Qatar’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker. Later in the day, he will join an international development dialogue chaired by the Chinese premier and attend a reception hosted by President Trump for world leaders.
On Wednesday, Shehbaz’s schedule features a meeting with philanthropist Bill Gates, participation in a climate change session chaired by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and a debate on artificial intelligence hosted by the South Korean president. The following day, he will attend a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Global Programme for Youth.
According to sources, additional meetings are being considered with the leaders of China, Italy, Canada, and Iran, as well as with the Emir of Qatar, the EU leadership, and the heads of major financial institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF.
Officials noted that Shehbaz’s participation in what is described as the “largest annual gathering of world leaders” underscores Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy and offers a vital platform to highlight the country’s longstanding role in peacekeeping, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
