Rubio praises Pakistan's regional peace efforts in call with PM Shehbaz
Listen to article
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, during which both sides discussed a wide range of regional and global issues in what was described as a cordial and friendly atmosphere.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the PM underscored that the escalating Iran-Israel crisis could only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Prime Minister speaks with the U.S. Secretary of State
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, this evening.
During their warm and cordial conversation, the Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes for President… pic.twitter.com/CwmVG3V4pG — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) June 20, 2025
He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to playing a constructive role in all peace efforts amid a situation that poses serious concerns not only for the region but for the world at large.
PM Shehbaz conveyed his best wishes for US President Donald Trump and lauded his courageous leadership. He also appreciated Rubio's active diplomacy, particularly his role in facilitating the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India.
Highlighting Trump's positive statements on Pakistan, the PM called them encouraging steps toward long-term peace in South Asia. He stressed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through meaningful dialogue between Pakistan and India.
In this context, he reiterated Pakistan's readiness to engage in talks with India on all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, the Indus Waters Treaty, trade, and counterterrorism cooperation.
Read: Trump calls meeting COAS Munir an honour at White House luncheon
The situation in the Middle East also featured prominently in the discussion. PM Shehbaz reiterated that the only viable solution lies in peaceful dialogue and diplomatic engagement. He reaffirmed Pakistan's willingness to play a constructive role in defusing tensions.
On economic matters, he referred to Trump's interest in strengthening bilateral trade and expressed Pakistan's desire to expand cooperation with the United States in key sectors such as trade, investment, energy, minerals, rare earth elements, and information technology.
Reaffirming Pakistan's resolve to eradicate terrorism, the PM spoke about ongoing efforts to eliminate the threat posed by extremist groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and others.
Read More: Field Marshal Munir engages US think tanks on Pakistan's role in global peace
In response, Rubio appreciated Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts and assured the United States' full support in this regard.
PM Shehbaz also expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the recent meeting between Trump and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir in Washington describing it as both pleasant and productive.
Both sides agreed on the need to translate the recent progress in bilateral dialogue into concrete, practical cooperation across all areas of mutual interest.
PM Shehbaz stressed the importance of maintaining high-level contacts and extended a renewed invitation to Trump to undertake an official visit to Pakistan. He expressed eagerness to meet with the US president soon and invited Rubio to visit Pakistan in the near future as well.
Also Read: UN chief urges parties to 'give peace a chance' on Iran-Israel war
In closing, US secretary of state thanked the PM for taking his call and expressed the United States' strong desire to deepen cooperation with Pakistan across all areas of shared interest.
He also acknowledged Pakistan's continued efforts in maintaining the ceasefire with India and playing a positive role in promoting peace, particularly given its strong relations with Iran.
Rubio emphasised that the United States remains committed to working closely with Pakistan to promote both regional and global peace and stability.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
6 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Bangladesh to buy 220,000 tons wheat from US in bid to cool tariffs, official says
DHAKA: Bangladesh's government has approved the purchase of about 220,000 metric tons of wheat from the United States as part of efforts to cool U.S. trade tensions and reduce steep import tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, a Dhaka official said on Wednesday. Bangladesh has approved the purchase from the United States under a government-to-government deal at a price of $302.75 per ton, the food ministry official said. It will be supplied by a Singapore-based trading house. Earlier in July, Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding to import 700,000 tons of wheat annually from the United States over the next five years. Highnoon Labs partners with Bangladesh's Beximco to target high-burden diseases in Pakistan On July 27, Bangladesh also ordered 25 aircraft from Boeing and ramped up imports of key American goods in an effort to defuse trade tensions. A Bangladesh government delegation is holding trade talks in the United States this week, officials in Dhaka said.
Express Tribune
7 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Trump says US to impose 25% tariff on India from Aug 1
Listen to article US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that United States will impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from India starting on August 1. Trump said India will also face an unspecified penalty on August 1, but he did elaborate on the amount or what it was for. "While India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. "They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia's largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE - ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!" India's commerce ministry, which is leading the trade negotiations with the US, did not immediately respond to a request for the comment. Read More: Trump to India: Trade deal by Aug 1 or face tariffs Earlier, US President Donald Trump said a trade deal with India has yet to be finalised and warned of possible higher tariffs ahead of an August 1 deadline to seal an agreement. His comments followed a Reuters report that India was preparing to accept higher tariffs of 20%-25% on its exports to the US in the absence of a trade deal, as it holds off on offering fresh concessions ahead of Friday's deadline. "India has been a good friend, but India has charged more tariffs, almost more than any other country," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, adding that it would come to an end. Asked about the Reuters report, Trump said a trade deal had not been finalised and India could face steeper tariffs.
Business Recorder
9 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Trump says US to impose 25% tariff on India from Aug 1
WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that United States will impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from India starting on Aug. 1. Trump said India will also face an unspecified penalty on Aug. 1, but he did elaborate on the amount or what it was for. Trump says US will stick to 25% tariff on Japan, may have deal with India soon 'While India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country,' Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. 'They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia's largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!' India, US trade talks face roadblocks ahead of tariff deadline, Indian sources say India's commerce ministry, which is leading the trade negotiations with the U.S., did not immediately respond to a request for the comment.
