Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday voiced optimism that recent discussions between US President Donald Trump and leaders of Muslim countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) would lead to meaningful progress toward resolving the Gaza crisis.

Addressing overseas Pakistanis at the Pakistan High Commission in London, the prime minister said the engagement with President Trump during the 80th session of the UNGA was “encouraging” and could help pave the way for ending Israeli aggression in Gaza. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

“The meeting of Muslim leaders with President Trump, in which Pakistan also participated, has raised hopes for a peaceful resolution to the Gaza conflict,” PM Shehbaz said, expressing deep concern over what he termed as the “relentless cruelty and barbarity” being inflicted on Gaza since October 2023.

The high-level meeting brought together leaders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye, and Indonesia. During the session, President Trump called for the release of hostages and stressed the urgent need for an end to hostilities, reportedly proposing a multi-phase plan.

Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan:

According to media reports, President Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan includes several key components aimed at stabilizing the region and paving the way for long-term peace. The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, followed by the release of prisoners, both alive and deceased.

It outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and excludes Hamas from future governance of the territory, potentially placing the Palestinian Authority in charge. To maintain security during the transitional period, the proposal suggests deploying peacekeepers from Arab and Muslim nations.

Additionally, the plan emphasizes reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, which would be funded by regional countries.

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly briefed on the plan, Israel is not believed to have been involved in drafting it.

Productive Engagement in Washington:

The prime minister also shared details of his bilateral meeting with President Trump in Washington during the same trip, describing it as “productive” and “constructive.”

“It was held in a conducive environment,” PM Shehbaz said, expressing hope the dialogue would further strengthen Pakistan-US relations.

Trump Called ‘Architect of Peace’:

In a notable remark, Prime Minister Shehbaz credited President Trump with preventing a potential large-scale war in South Asia, saying: “Had President Trump not intervened, South Asia could have witnessed a major war. Millions could have suffered. There was a huge danger.”

“For this reason, we nominated President Trump for a peace prize — in recognition of his statesmanship and vision,” he added.

Civil-Military Unity, Defence Pact with Saudi Arabia:

The prime minister reaffirmed strong civil-military relations in Pakistan, praising Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir as a “true nationalist” and stating that they consult on all major national decisions. “We are fully on the same page,” he said.

He also highlighted a recently signed defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, calling it a “historic pact” with global implications. “It carries a message of peace and cooperation,” PM Shehbaz stated, adding that he had briefed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who fully endorsed the developments.

FM Dar: Follow-up to Gaza Talks Underway:

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who was part of the Trump meeting, said follow-up consultations were ongoing and that the government would share outcomes with the nation once finalized. He commended PM Shehbaz’s leadership at the UNGA, noting his strong advocacy for both the Gaza cause and the Kashmir issue.

Dar also took aim at the previous PTI government, blaming it for economic instability and Pakistan’s decline from 24th to 48th in global economic rankings. He added that the current administration had focused initially on economic stabilization and is now shifting towards national progress and prosperity.