This brings to 11 the number of planes shot down during the May conflict; Shehbaz calls for contiguous Palestinian state
US President Donald Trump speaks during the inaugural meeting of the Peace Council at the Donald J Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, DC. Photo: AFP
WASHINGTON:
US President Donald Trump on Thursday appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during their address at the inaugural meeting of the Peace Council here.
“Thank you very much, Prime Minister Sharif. I love this man… and the Field Marshal, a great general, [and a] grand marshal,” Trump told an international gathering of world leaders, including those from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Qatar and others.
Referring to the war between Pakistan and India in May last year, the US president recalled Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks that he (Trump) saved the lives of 25 million people by intervening to end the war between two nuclear powers.
“I said, ‘25 million lives? In fact, it could have been much more. »
But it’s a really nice thing that you said in front of a group of people,” Trump said, addressing Prime Minister Shehbaz, who was also in the meeting.
He said the war was raging. They were fighting… 11 planes were shot down… Pakistan and India really got into it, and then it got worse, he added.
He said that after his intervention, the two countries reached an agreement within two to three days.
“They got a good deal, and I had to like them, the Prime Minister and the Marshal – who is a tough man, a good tough fighter, a good serious fighter. I actually like good fighters,” Trump remarked.
He said the deal was reached after he warned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to impose high tariffs if the war was not stopped.
This was not the first time Trump praised Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership. Earlier, during an international event on peace in Gaza on October 13, 2025, he said: “I want to thank Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan and I also have to say my favorite Marshal of Pakistan who is not here but the Prime Minister is here… give him my regards.”
In other cases too, he appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz and the chief of defense forces calling him “a great guy” and an “inspiring personality”, crediting them for helping to avoid an escalation in South Asia.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that the international community must work together to find a credible path to Palestinian self-determination through the creation of an independent, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian state, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Peace Council here, he expressed hope that under the visionary and dynamic leadership of US President Donald Trump, the international community will ensure a just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue.
He said President Trump’s timely and highly effective intervention to achieve a ceasefire between India and Pakistan could have potentially avoided the loss of tens of millions of people.
“You have truly proven yourself to be a man of peace. And let me say, Mr. President, that you are truly the savior of South Asia,” he remarked.
Highlighting President Trump’s efforts for world peace, he said: “It is a great honor, Mr. President, to attend this inaugural meeting of the Peace Council in this holy month of Ramazan and may God reward you and make you successful in your efforts to bring lasting peace to Gaza.
“Mr. President, we deeply appreciate your unique initiative and dynamic leadership in promoting peaceful solutions to conflicts around the world,” he continued.
He said: “President Trump’s bold diplomacy has surely brought calm to many international trouble spots. »
“And today is a day that will mark a place in the annals of history: through your efforts, your tireless support and your tremendous efforts, a lasting peace in Gaza will be achieved. This will be your legacy for all time to come,” he added.
The Prime Minister said: “The Palestinian people have long endured illegal occupation and immense suffering. And to achieve lasting peace, it is very important that ceasefire violations end in order to preserve lives and advance reconstruction efforts. »
“The Palestinian people must exercise full control of their land and their future, in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council,” he stressed.
