US President Donald Trump praised Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a “terrific man” during his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Trump also highlighted the May 2025 ceasefire between Pakistan and India. During his speech, he said Sharif had credited him with helping prevent the loss of more than 30 million lives. Trump presented the figure as part of his broader account of conflicts he said his administration helped settle.
Shehbaz Sharif was attending the UN General Assembly in New York when Trump made the remarks. The annual general debate of the 81st session runs from September 22 through September 28.
Trump Highlights Pakistan-India Ceasefire
Trump used his UN speech to discuss several conflicts and diplomatic efforts.
He said his administration had helped settle a number of long-running disputes. He included the Pakistan-India conflict among the cases he cited.
The US president recalled the four-day military confrontation between Pakistan and India in May 2025. Washington played a role in encouraging the two sides to halt hostilities.
Trump said Sharif had personally thanked him for his intervention. He also attributed the claim that more than 30 million lives had been saved to the Pakistani prime minister.
The 30 million figure is Trump’s characterization of the potential human cost he said the ceasefire avoided, rather than an independently verified casualty estimate.
Trump Has Previously Praised Pakistan’s Leadership
The UN remarks were not the first time Trump has spoken positively about Pakistan’s leadership.
He has previously praised Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s military leadership while discussing the May 2025 India-Pakistan crisis and subsequent diplomatic efforts.
Sharif has also publicly described Trump as a leader who helped prevent a wider regional confrontation.
However, the two countries have discussed the ceasefire and its diplomatic significance from their respective perspectives.
Shehbaz Sharif Attends UN General Assembly
Sharif’s presence in New York comes as world leaders gather for the UN’s annual high-level debate.
The 81st General Assembly session is addressing major international issues, including conflicts, global security, economic challenges and cooperation between countries.
For Pakistan, relations with India and regional security remain important foreign-policy issues.
Meanwhile, the US has continued to highlight its diplomatic involvement in several international conflicts.
Trump Expands on His Foreign Policy Record
Trump used much of his UN address to describe what he considers major achievements in his foreign policy.
He cited conflicts involving Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the Gaza conflict.
Trump said his relationships with foreign leaders helped him pursue these settlements.
His speech also addressed the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the war in Ukraine and other international issues. Reuters reported that Trump warned Iran of further military action if Tehran does not reach a peace agreement.
The remarks about Sharif therefore formed part of a broader speech in which Trump sought to emphasize his administration’s diplomatic and foreign-policy record.
Pakistan-US Ties Remain in Focus
Trump’s latest comments add another positive public reference to Pakistan’s leadership from Washington.
For Islamabad, US engagement remains important as Pakistan seeks stronger economic, security and diplomatic ties with major international partners.
At the same time, the May 2025 India-Pakistan ceasefire remains a significant point in Pakistan-US relations.
Trump’s description of Sharif as a “terrific man” and his reference to the ceasefire are likely to draw further attention as both leaders continue their engagements on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
