By Hafiz Rahat Usama 
A Warm Reception at the Oval Office
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his “deep admiration” for United States President Donald Trump during a rare meeting at the Oval Office. The premier described Trump as a “man of peace” committed to ending conflicts across the globe. He specifically credited the US president’s bold and decisive actions for facilitating the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, averting what he termed a potential “major catastrophe” in South Asia.
The meeting, attended by senior leaders including Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, lasted over an hour. Both leaders spoke candidly on matters of peace, trade, and regional cooperation, marking a significant moment in Pakistan–US relations.
Focus on Middle East Peace Efforts
In discussions about the Middle East, Prime Minister Shehbaz lauded President Trump’s initiatives for peace in Gaza. He praised the recent invitation extended by the US president to Muslim world leaders in New York for a comprehensive dialogue on restoring peace in the region, with particular emphasis on Gaza and the West Bank.
The premier acknowledged these efforts as evidence of Washington’s renewed engagement in regional stability, highlighting Pakistan’s support for diplomacy aimed at ending longstanding conflicts.
Economic and Trade Cooperation
A key area of discussion was the tariff arrangement concluded earlier this year between Pakistan and the United States. Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked President Trump for supporting trade reforms that benefited Pakistan’s economic interests. He extended an invitation to US companies to invest in agriculture, information technology, mining, and energy, underlining Pakistan’s openness to foreign investment.
President Trump reciprocated with an announcement of plans to send American firms to explore oil and energy projects in Pakistan. Analysts have described this as a pivotal moment, shifting bilateral ties from a security-focused framework toward a more geo-economic partnership.
Security and Counter-Terrorism Dialogue
Security cooperation also featured prominently in the meeting. Prime Minister Shehbaz appreciated President Trump’s public endorsement of Pakistan’s role in counter-terrorism. He emphasized the importance of further strengthening intelligence-sharing and joint operations to combat emerging threats.
Field Marshal Asim Munir’s presence at the Oval Office underscored the military dimension of Pakistan–US cooperation, while Trump reiterated his view of both the prime minister and the army chief as “great people.”
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The meeting was accompanied by images showing the leaders in cordial conversation, with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also present. Prime Minister Shehbaz extended a formal invitation to President Trump to visit Pakistan, a gesture reflecting Islamabad’s desire for closer engagement.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif later hailed the meeting as a major diplomatic success, adding that 2025 had already brought multiple achievements for Pakistan, including a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and improved ties with Washington.
Reactions and Analysis
Political leaders and analysts described the interaction as transformative for Pakistan–US relations. Democratic leader Shahid Khan called it “highly significant,” noting that Pakistan had cemented its strategic role in both South Asia and the Middle East. Analyst Qamar Cheema emphasized the economic implications, while journalist Faiz Rehman highlighted Pakistan’s unique position to mediate with Iran due to shared cultural and historical ties.
The broader context of the meeting was also shaped by Washington’s cooling relations with New Delhi, following trade disputes and the recent India–Pakistan conflict. Pakistan’s Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos and subsequent ceasefire, brokered with US support, further elevated Islamabad’s regional standing.