Overview
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the Feb. 19 meeting in Washington, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming Pakistan’s participation in the Board of Peace.
- Rubio said he and Sharif discussed counterterrorism cooperation, critical minerals development, and expanded economic ties on the sidelines of the meeting.
- Sharif endorsed the Gaza Peace Plan and, in remarks reported from the event, praised President Trump as a “man of peace” and said Pakistan had nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Pakistan’s PTI opposition denounced the decision to join the board, alleging the government bypassed Parliament and criticizing the body’s lack of direct Palestinian representation.
- An official Foreign Ministry post announcing the trip drew ridicule for the “Unites States of Americas” typo, and widely shared videos showed Trump asking Sharif to stand, while a separate “guard‑style salute” clip circulated without independent verification.