Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Sharif’s UNGA Outreach Stalls Without Trump or Rubio Meetings
Shehbaz Sharif went to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
Pakistan wanted him to meet important US officials.
A planned meeting with Marco Rubio did not happen.
Sharif also has not yet secured a meeting with Donald Trump.
Trump spoke positively about Sharif during a UN speech.
Pakistan was not reported to be part of Trump’s latest meeting about Gaza and the region.
Pakistan wants to discuss trade, security and its efforts to encourage talks between the United States and Iran.
The time for arranging meetings is becoming shorter because US officials are busy with other issues and are preparing for Xi Jinping’s visit.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has not secured meetings with US President Donald Trump or Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the UNGA session.
A planned Sharif-Rubio meeting on September 22 did not take place as scheduled.
Trump mentioned Sharif during his UNGA address and called him a “terrific man,” but no bilateral meeting has been confirmed.
Pakistan was not reported to have joined Trump’s latest meeting with Arab and Islamic leaders on Gaza and regional tensions.
Islamabad is continuing efforts to contact senior US officials as Washington focuses on Iran, Gaza and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit.
- Who
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- What
- Sharif’s efforts to arrange high-level meetings with Trump administration officials during the United Nations General Assembly have not yet succeeded.
- When
- During the UN General Assembly session, after Sharif arrived in New York on Tuesday; Sharif is scheduled to address the assembly on September 25.
- Where
- New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
- Why
- Pakistan is seeking to discuss bilateral ties, trade, investment, regional tensions and its efforts to promote dialogue over the West Asia crisis.
- Pakistani leader
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
- US meetings status
- No confirmed meeting with Donald Trump; a planned meeting with Marco Rubio did not take place
- UN address
- Sharif is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on September 25
- Trump’s remarks
- Trump called Sharif a “terrific man” during his UNGA address
- Regional diplomacy
- Pakistan has sought to position itself as an intermediary in US-Iran discussions
- US priorities
- Washington’s attention is focused on Iran, Gaza and wider West Asian security
- Scheduling pressure
- Trump and senior US officials are preparing to return to Washington ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit