Pakistan PM Sharif to meet US President Trump on UNGA sidelines

(Left) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and (right) US President Donald Trump. (PTI)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to meet US President Donald Trump alongside a select group of Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Sharif will visit the US from September 22 to 26 with a delegation to attend the 80th Session of the UNGA in New York. He will be accompanied by foreign minister Ishaq Dar, other ministers, and senior officials.

“The Prime Minister will also participate in a meeting of select Islamic leaders with US President Trump to exchange views on issues relating to regional and international peace and security,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

Shehbaz Sharif at UNGA: What's on agenda?

In his address to the General Assembly, Sharif is expected to urge the international community to resolve the “prolonged” conflicts, with specific focus on the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He will call for decisive international action to end the suffering of the Palestinian people.

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.

On the margins of the UNGA session, the Prime Minister will join multiple high-level forums, including sessions of the UN Security Council, the Global Development Initiative (GDI) high-level meeting, and a special event on climate action.

He is also expected to hold bilateral talks with several global leaders and UN dignitaries to exchange perspectives on key areas of cooperation.

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 prime minister's participation in this biggest annual gathering of global leaders will showcase Pakistan’s strong commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations and to highlight Pakistan’s longstanding contribution towards the shared objectives of peace and development,” the Foreign Office statement added further.

(With inputs from agencies)