The USA has expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s assist of President Donald Trump’s Peace Plan for Gaza, as senior officers from each international locations reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening bilateral ties.
In a publish on X US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated he met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, thanking Pakistan for backing the US-led peace initiative and for becoming a member of the Board of Peace.
Met at the moment with Pakistani Prime Minister @CMShehbaz. Admire Pakistan’s ongoing assist of @POTUS‘s Peace Plan for Gaza and for becoming a member of the Board of Peace. In our assembly, we mentioned the significance of our strategic relationship on important minerals growth and… pic.twitter.com/vMSl6i4bvz
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 19, 2026
“Met at the moment with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Admire Pakistan’s ongoing assist of President Trump’s Peace Plan for Gaza and for becoming a member of the Board of Peace,” Rubio stated in a press release shared on social media.
He added that discussions through the assembly centered on strengthening the strategic relationship between the 2 international locations, significantly within the areas of important minerals growth and counterterrorism cooperation.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and International Minister Ishaq Dar additionally welcomed the engagement, underscoring the significance of the long-standing relationship between Islamabad and Washington.
Thanks @SecRubio.
Pakistan values its longstanding relationship with the US and appreciates the significant discussions we had at the moment on advancing peace, cooperation in preventing towards terrorism, and increasing bilateral financial and commerce ties. We sit up for… https://t.co/xjp2FqmBJZ— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) February 20, 2026
“Pakistan values its longstanding relationship with the US and appreciates the significant discussions we had at the moment on advancing peace, cooperation in preventing towards terrorism, and increasing bilateral financial and commerce ties,” Dar stated.
He additional famous that Pakistan seems to be ahead to deepening its strategic partnership with the US in areas of shared curiosity.
PM Shehbaz and different world leaders attended the inaugural assembly of the Trump-led BoP in Washington on Thursday.
Addressing the BoP assembly, PM Shehbaz described his participation as an honor and reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to lasting peace in Gaza.
The prime minister stated the pursuit of sustainable peace in Gaza stays a shared mission, including that the day marked a “golden chapter in historical past” for peace efforts within the Center East.
He expressed hope that the initiative would reach reaching long-term stability within the war-hit area.
PM Shehbaz in September final 12 months welcomed Trump’s 20-point plan geared toward guaranteeing an finish to the struggle in Gaza, stressing that sturdy peace between Palestinians and Israel was important for political stability and financial development within the area.
Learn extra: PM Shehbaz Sharif meets international leaders at inaugural Board of Peace summit
In the meantime, Hamas issued a robust assertion rejecting any political compromise till what it described because the “full finish of Israeli aggression.”
The group demanded that the siege of Gaza be lifted instantly and referred to as for an finish to alleged ceasefire violations. Hamas additionally addressed the US-led “Board of Peace,” asserting that “resistance and weapons are our constitutional proper” and stating that the query of disarmament “doesn’t come up.”
Hamas appealed to the worldwide group to intervene and stated it’s keen at hand over civilian administration to a technocratic committee. Nonetheless, it emphasised that its army wing would stay intact.
The group additional rejected what it referred to as any bargaining over Palestinian rights within the identify of reconstruction and accused Israel of utilizing the “Board of Peace” as a defend for ongoing army operations.
