ANTALYA: Senior Advisor to US President Donald Trump for Arab and African Affairs, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Antalya on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum and praised Pakistan’s contributions to regional stability.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed warm regards to President Trump and recalled his previous interactions with him, a PM house statement said on Friday.
He also expressed appreciation for Trump’s leadership, saying it played a key role in helping achieve a ceasefire between Pakistan and India last year when tensions were at a critical level. The prime minister also praised Trump’s role in supporting a ceasefire in Lebanon.
“The two sides also discussed current regional developments including Pakistan’s peace efforts that led to the ceasefire as well as the historic Islamabad Talks,” the statement added.
Antalya: 17 April 2026.
Senior Advisor to the U.S. President for Arab and African Affairs, H.E. Mr. Massad Boulos, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF 2026) in Antalya, Türkiye, today.
During… pic.twitter.com/UttBxzZwoD
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) April 17, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored the need to further strengthen Pakistan–U.S. bilateral relations, with a particular focus on expanding economic and trade cooperation, as well as enhancing collaboration on issues of mutual interest at multilateral forums.
Massad Boulos conveyed warm greetings from Donald Trump and acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional stability.
He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to deepening engagement with Pakistan on shared priorities, including counter-terrorism, economic growth, and addressing broader global challenges.
The Prime Minister on the occasion also held informal meetings with global leaders participating in the forum on the occasion of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
The Prime Minister met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The Prime Minister also held meetings with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and former President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, a PM House statement said.
انطالیہ: 17 اپریل 2026.
وزیرِ اعظم کی انطالیہ ڈپلومیسی فورم کے موقع پر فورم میں شریک عالمی رہنماؤں سے غیر رسمی ملاقاتیں ہوئیں.
وزیرِ اعظم کی ترک صدر رجب طیب ایردوان، میر قطر شیخ تمیم بن حمد آلثانی قازقستان کے صدر قاسم جومارت توکائیف، آذربائیجان کے صدر الہام علیئف، شامی صدر… pic.twitter.com/Mpi03Hyt04
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) April 17, 2026
I Might Go to Islamabad: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed strong optimism about a potential peace agreement with Iran, stating that Tehran has “agreed to almost everything” and hinting that he may travel to Islamabad if the deal is finalised there.
Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn before departing for visits to Nevada and Arizona, Trump struck a confident tone regarding ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“I would go to Pakistan. Pakistan has been great. They have been so great… if the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go,” he said, underscoring Islamabad’s growing centrality in high-stakes negotiations.
Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary, with its civil and military leadership actively engaged in intensive diplomatic outreach to bring both sides back to the negotiating table.
The recent Islamabad Talks, held over the weekend, did not yield a final agreement, but laid the groundwork for continued engagement.
A Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in effect, temporarily halting hostilities that began following US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
Diplomatic sources indicate that efforts are underway to extend this truce or transition towards a more comprehensive agreement.
