United States (US) President Donald Trump has said that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir have fully backed his Gaza peace plan that calls for an immediate ceasefire, a phased Israeli withdrawal and the release of hostages, including over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, within 48 hours.
“PM and Field Marshal… they were right with us from the beginning. Incredible, in fact. They just put out a statement that they fully believe in this pact. They back this 100%,” Trump said while addressing a joint press conference along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
His remarks came hours after the premier welcomed Trump’s plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza, saying a durable peace between the Palestinian people and Israel is essential for regional stability and economic growth.
In a post on X, PM Shehbaz said he was “convinced that durable peace between the Palestinian people and Israel would be essential in bringing political stability and economic growth to the region”.
“It is also my firm belief that President Trump is fully prepared to assist in whatever way necessary to make this extremely important and urgent understanding to become a reality,” he wrote and praised Trump’s leadership.
The premier reiterated his support for a two-state solution and said he also strongly believed that the implementation of the two-state proposal was essential to ensure lasting peace in the region.
Meanwhile, Pakistan pledged support for the plan at the United Nations (UN) as well.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad told the UN Security Council (UNSC) members that Islamabad, in coordination with eight OIC and Arab states, would actively participate in the consultative process to support a sustainable resolution.
“We value the initiative of President Donald Trump, working with eight OIC and Arab countries to advance peace through concrete measures,” the envoy said while addressing a briefing on the Middle East.
“As a participant in this consultative process, Pakistan will closely engage and play a constructive role in promoting consensus,” he added, stressing that the goal was to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians and achieve just, comprehensive and lasting peace consistent with UN resolutions.
It may be noted that PM Shehbaz had on Sunday said that the recent meeting between President Trump and leaders of eight Arab-Islamic countries in New York was encouraging.
He had said he was confident the talks would yield a positive outcome for a ceasefire in Gaza, following which President Trump had also said that “all were on board for something special, first time ever”.