WASHINGTON, Thursday, February 19, 2026 (WNP): U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, highlighting Pakistan’s “constructive role” in regional stability.

The high-level gathering, attended by senior officials and diplomatic representatives, focused on global peace initiatives, conflict resolution and strengthening multilateral cooperation amid evolving geopolitical challenges.

President Trump commended the leadership of both Pakistan’s civilian government and military establishment, underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts in promoting security and countering instability in sensitive regions.

Addressing the forum, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on the international community to work collectively toward establishing a credible and time-bound pathway for Palestinian self-determination.

“The international community must act in unity to ensure the creation of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions,” the prime minister said.

He emphasized that durable peace in the Middle East hinges on a just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian issue, rooted in international law and the aspirations of the Palestinian people.

Pakistan has consistently supported a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, in line with longstanding UN resolutions.

The diplomatic observers described the maiden Board of Peace meeting as an attempt to reinvigorate dialogue mechanisms at a time of heightened global tensions. Participants reportedly discussed regional flashpoints, humanitarian crises and the need for stronger international coordination to prevent escalation.

They note that the public praise from President Trump signals a positive tone in U.S.–Pakistan engagement, particularly in areas of security cooperation and diplomatic outreach.

The meeting in Washington also underscored Islamabad’s broader diplomatic push to reassert its role in multilateral forums and advocate for conflict resolution through dialogue and international consensus.

As global crises continue to test diplomatic frameworks, leaders at the forum stressed that sustainable peace requires political will, inclusive dialogue and adherence to international norms.