ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday emphasised Pakistan’s relations with the United States, praising President Donald Trump’s role in regional diplomacy and presenting Islamabad as a potential mediator in ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Addressing a gathering commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, Sharif conveyed Pakistan’s government and people’s greeting to President Trump, the US administration, and the American public.
He described the American story as one of “hope and enlightenment” and noted that relations between Islamabad and Washington stretch back more than eight decades.
Recalling that the US was among the first countries to recognise Pakistan after its creation, he said the two nations had stood together through some of the defining moments of modern history.
He pointed to co-operation in counterterrorism, trade and investment, and highlighted the contribution of nearly one million Pakistani-Americans to bilateral relations.
The prime minister also sought to emphasise Pakistan’s economic credentials, noting that about 80 major American companies operate in the country and that Pakistan is home to one of the world’s largest freelance workforces.
But it was on regional affairs that Prime Minister Sharif struck his strongest notes. He credited President Trump’s “timely intervention” with helping make a ceasefire between Pakistan and India possible, offering unusually effusive praise for the American leader’s role in South Asian diplomacy.
Sharif said Trump’s efforts to promote peace in the region would earn him a place in history as a “man of peace.”
The prime minister also said Pakistan was serving as a “sincere mediator” between the US and Iran, thanking both governments for their trust and confidence in Islamabad.
He further praised Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for what he described as efforts to advance regional peace and stability.
Speaking at the event, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker portrayed the relationship as a strategic partnership grounded in shared interests, while highlighting co-operation in trade, investment, security and visa services.
She noted that Islamabad had hosted high-level talks between the US and Iran, underscoring Pakistan’s growing diplomatic relevance at a time of heightened regional uncertainty.
She said co-operation in agriculture and industry was delivering tangible benefits to citizens in both countries.
Mixing diplomacy with cultural appreciation, Baker also praised Pakistan’s contribution to global sport, noting that footballs used around the world are manufactured in the country.
Recalling her attendance at Lahore’s Basant festival and the Pakistan Super League final, she described Pakistan as an emerging country with significant potential and a bright future.
She concluded by thanking Prime Minister Sharif for his leadership and expressing appreciation for the hospitality extended by the Pakistani people.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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