Rubio thanks PM Shehbaz for supporting Trump’s peace plan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday after attendeding the inaugural session of the “Board of Peace” led by President Donald Trump.
In a statement by the US State Department, Rubio thanked Pakistan for “ongoing support” for Trump’s Gaza peace plan and for joining the first meeting of the Gaza peace forum as a founding member.
The discussed the “importance of our strategic relationship on critical minerals development and counterterrorism” and prospects for increased American investment.
He also offered condolences over the Jan 31 attacks in Balochistan and the Feb 6 bombing in Islamabad and reaffirmed the importance of continued partnership in counter-terrorism.
The talks covered Pakistan’s participation in the recent Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, with the United States welcoming Islamabad’s engagement and discussing cooperation in developing Pakistan’s energy and mineral resources, as well as commercial opportunities for American companies.
In a post on X, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar thanked Secretary Rubio and said Pakistan values its “longstanding relationship with the United States”.
The foreign minister added that the two diplomats had “meaningful discussions” on advancing peace, cooperation in fighting against terrorism, and expanding bilateral economic and trade ties.
We look forward to further strengthening our strategic partnership in all areas of shared interest,” said Dar.
Met today with Pakistani Prime Minister @CMShehbaz. Appreciate Pakistan’s ongoing support of @POTUS’s Peace Plan for Gaza and for joining the Board of Peace. In our meeting, we discussed the importance of our strategic relationship on critical minerals development and… pic.twitter.com/vMSl6i4bvz
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 19, 2026