US State secretary thanks PM Shehbaz for supporting Trump’s Gaza peace plan
2026-02-20 - 04:03
WASHINGTON – United States Secretary Marco Rubio thanked Pakistan for its ongoing support of President Donald Trump’s Peace Plan for Gaza and for participating in the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace as a founding member. He extended the gratitude during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Washington, DC after the Board of Peace meeting. Rubio offered his condolences for the horrific January 31 attacks in Balochistan and the devastating February 6 bombing in Islamabad, reaffirming the importance of our continued partnership in the fight against terrorism. The Secretary welcomed Pakistan’s participation in the recent Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington. The officials discussed critical minerals and energy sector development, as well as commercial investment opportunities for American companies. Earlier, the premier addressed the inaugural session of the board and urged the international community to work together towards a credible pathway to Palestinians’ self-determination. The prime minister emphasized that the people of Palestine have endured a prolonged period of illegal occupation and immense hardship. To achieve lasting peace, he stressed the importance of halting ceasefire violations to protect lives and facilitate reconstruction efforts. He further stated that it is crucial for the people of Palestine to gain full control over their land and future, in accordance with the resolutions set forth by the United Nations Security Council. In his remarks, Shehbaz Sharif called for collective efforts to establish a credible path toward Palestinian self-determination, which includes the creation of an independent, sovereign, and self-reliant Palestinian state, as outlined in the relevant UN resolutions. He expressed his optimism that under the visionary leadership of President Donald Trump, a fair and enduring resolution to the Palestinian issue would be achieved. He also conveyed deep appreciation for President Trump’s distinctive initiative and proactive leadership in fostering peaceful solutions to global conflicts.