LONDON — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that US President Donald Trump assured him of full cooperation in strengthening Pakistan’s economy, following what he described as a “very pleasant” meeting in Washington.
Speaking to reporters in London, the premier said relations between Islamabad and Washington had stabilized in recent months, with fresh momentum in trade and investment talks.
“We discussed opportunities in trade, investment, oil and gas exploration, as well as mining and minerals,” Sharif noted, adding that Trump’s commitment could pave the way for new avenues of bilateral cooperation.
Sharif also revealed that he informed Trump of Pakistan’s decision to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in preventing escalation with India and efforts to mediate global conflicts. “If you had not intervened in time and matters had escalated, no one knows what the consequences would have been,” he said, while also praising Trump’s push for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Claim of “Historic Victory” Against India
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan had achieved a “historic victory” in the recent conflict with India. “By the grace of Allah Almighty and the prayers of 240 million Pakistanis, we won the war against India,” he said, hailing the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu.
Sharif claimed the outcome reaffirmed Pakistan’s strength in both conventional and unconventional warfare. He stressed his close coordination with the military leadership, saying: “I consult Field Marshal Asim Munir on every national and international matter. If this harmony continues, Pakistan will rise further on the world stage.”
Defence Pact with Saudi Arabia
Highlighting Pakistan’s deepening ties with Riyadh, the prime minister said a new defence pact had formalized long-standing brotherly relations. “An attack on one will be treated as an attack on both, and we will jointly decide on a plan of action,” he explained. He added that protecting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina was a cause for which every Muslim was ready to make sacrifices.
Shehbaz further said Pakistan had raised the issue of Palestine both at the United Nations and during the Arab-Islamic Summit. He condemned the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, calling it “one of the worst examples of brutality in modern times.”
Floods and Climate Challenges
Turning to domestic issues, Sharif spoke about the devastation caused by recent floods, which he linked to the worsening impact of climate change. “Over a thousand lives have been lost, crops destroyed, and livelihoods shattered. We are facing a critical situation but remain determined to recover,” he said.
He underlined that his government’s focus remained on economic revival, job creation, and poverty alleviation rather than political rivalries. “If we equip our youth with training in AI, IT, agriculture, and modern skills, they can bring about a real revolution,” the prime minister asserted.
