Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Trump at the Arab-Islamic Summit in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The summit, co-hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, focused on ending the Gaza war.
Trump Calls for Hostage Release
In his opening remarks, Trump stressed the urgent need to secure the release of hostages taken during Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel. He said 38 hostages were believed dead and 20 alive, urging Muslim leaders to play a decisive role in restoring peace.
Qatar’s Emir Urges Ceasefire
Qatar’s emir supported this call, pressing for immediate action to stop the war and provide relief for civilians. Leaders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, and Indonesia also joined the talks. They demanded a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and long-term solutions for Palestine.
Trump’s Proposed Peace Plan
Media reports indicate that Trump’s plan includes a phased Israeli withdrawal, regional peacekeepers, dismantling Hamas, and giving the Palestinian Authority a governance role. Washington also encouraged Arab states to fund Gaza’s reconstruction and stabilisation.
Sharif’s Role and Bilateral Talks
Sharif met Qatar’s emir, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto before the summit. Later, he held informal talks with Trump, praising his efforts to prevent global conflicts, including past tensions between Pakistan and India.
At the summit, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that peace between Palestinians and Israelis can only come through dialogue. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a negotiated settlement. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also attended the meetings.
Optimism for Next Round
After the summit, Trump described his talks with Muslim leaders as “very good.” He confirmed Israel would join the next round of negotiations and expressed hope that a solution to the Gaza conflict was finally within reach.
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