ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will join “select” Islamic leaders in a meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) next week, the Pakistani foreign office said on Sunday, elaborating that discussions will focus on regional and international peace and security.
Sharif will lead the Pakistan delegation, comprising senior ministers and officials including Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, at the 80th UNGA session from Sept. 22-26 in New York.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said Sharif will urge the international community to resolve the situation of “prolonged occupation” of the people of the disputed Kashmir territory and Palestine.
“The Prime Minister will also participate in a meeting of select Islamic leaders with US President Trump to exchange views on issues pertaining to regional and international peace and security,” the foreign office said.
The foreign office did not share further details of the meeting but said Sharif will draw the international community’s attention toward the Gaza crisis at the UNGA and call for a “decisive action” to end the suffering of the Palestinians.
“He will also highlight Pakistan’s perspective on the regional security situation, as well as other issues of international concern, including climate change, terrorism, Islamophobia, and sustainable development,” the foreign office said.
It said the prime minister will attend several high-level events on the sidelines of the UNGA, including key meetings of the UN Security Council, a high-level meeting of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and a Special High-Level Event on Climate Action, among others.
The foreign ministry said Sharif will meet world leaders and UN officials for bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA to exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
“He will also underline Pakistan’s resolve to work with all UN Member States to uphold the UN Charter, prevent conflict, foster peace and promote global prosperity in Pakistan’s current role as a member of the Security Council,” the statement said.
The meeting with Trump next week will take place days after Pakistan and entered into a defense pact, whereby the two countries pledged that any attack against one will be treated as an attack on both of them.
Sharif’s meeting with Trump, along with other Islamic leaders, also reflects Pakistan’s improving ties with the US. Islamabad and Washington have grown close over the months since Pakistan praised Trump for intervening in its conflict with India and brokering a ceasefire between the nuclear-armed neighbors in May.
