Raises tally of downed jets in May conflict to 11; Shehbaz calls for contiguous state of Palestine
US President Donald Trump speaks during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace 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 Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as he spoke at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace here.
“Thank you very much, Prime Minister Sharif. I like this man … and field marshal, a great general, [and a] great field marshal,” Trump told the international gathering of world leaders including those from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Qatar and others.
Referring to the Pakistan-India war in May last year, the US president recalled Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks that he (Trump) had saved the lives of 25 million people by intervening to stop the war between two nuclear powers.
“I said, “25 million lives? Could have been much more, actually.”
But it was really a beautiful thing you said that in front of a group of people,” Trump said addressing Prime Minister Shehbaz who was also part of the meeting.
He said that the war raging. They were fighting … 11 jets were shot down… Pakistan and India were really going at it, and then it got worse, he added.
He said that after his intervention, both the countries reached a deal within two three days.
“They made a good deal, and I got to like them, the prime minister and the field marshal — who’s a tough man, a tough good fighter, good, serious fighter. I like good fighters, actually,” Trump remarked.
He said that the deal was reached after he warned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of imposing heavy tariff if the war wasn’t stopped.
This was not the first time that Trump spoke highly for Pakistan’s civil and military leadership as earlier while addressing an international event on Gaza peace on October 13, 2025, he said, “I want to thank Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan and also I have to say my favorite Field Marshal from Pakistan who’s not here but the Prime Minister is here… give him my regards.”
In other instances, too, he appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces calling him “a great, great guy,” and “an inspiring personality,” crediting them for helping avert escalation in South Asia.
PM Shehbaz Sharif
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the international community must work together towards a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination through the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous state of Palestine in line with the relevant United Nations resolutions.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Peace of Board 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 issue of Palestine.
He said the timely and very effective intervention by President Trump to achieve ceasefire between India and Pakistan potentially averted loss of tens of millions of people.
“You have truly proved to be a man of peace. And let me say, Mr. President, you are truly saviour of South Asia,” he remarked.
Highlighting the efforts of President Trump for global peace, he said, “It’s a great honour, Mr. President, to attend this inaugural Board of Peace meeting in this holy month of Ramazan and may God reward you and make you successful in your efforts to bring lasting peace in Gaza.”
“Mr. President, we deeply appreciate your unique initiative and your dynamic leadership in advancing peaceful solutions to conflicts across the globe,” he continued.
He said, “The bold diplomacy of President Trump has surely brought calm to many international serious hot spots.”
“And today is a day which will mark a place in the annals of history, that through your efforts, through your untiring support and great efforts, long-lasting peace in Gaza will be achieved. It will be your legacy for all time to come,” he added.
The prime minister said, “The people of Palestine have long endured illegal occupation and immense suffering. And to achieve long-lasting peace, it is very important that ceasefire violations must end to preserve lives and advance reconstruction efforts.”
“The people of Palestine must exercise full control of their land and their future in line with UN Security Council resolutions,” he stressed.
