Pakistan says Sharif, Islamic leaders to meet Trump at UNGA sidelines next week

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will join “select” Islamic leaders in a meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) next week, the Pakistani foreign office said on Sunday, elaborating that discussions will focus on regional and international peace and security.

Sharif will lead the Pakistan delegation, comprising senior ministers and officials including Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, at the 80th UNGA session from Sept. 22-26 in New York.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said Sharif will urge the international community to resolve the situation of “prolonged occupation” of the people of the disputed Kashmir territory and Palestine.

“The Prime Minister will also participate in a meeting of select Islamic leaders with US President Trump to exchange views on issues pertaining to regional and international peace and security,” the foreign office said.

The foreign office did not share further details of the meeting but said Sharif will draw the international community’s attention toward the Gaza crisis at the UNGA and call for a “decisive action” to end the suffering of the Palestinians.