Tazeen Akhtar
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif called on President Donald J. Trump, at the White House this afternoon. He was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir NI (M), HJ, Chief of the Army Staff.
This was stated in official press release of the Prime Minister media team but the people are seeing it the other way. Public says, actually General Asim Munir took Prime Minister to President Trump. The field marshal was not in uniform but a suit to give the maximum civilian touch to the pictures for the press.
General Asim Munir has become the only general in the whole world to be welcomed by President of a country that otherwise poses and claims as the champion of democracy that certainly it is not but its super power lets it claim anything without any apprehension of contradiction. True that Might is Right. Also “The Boss is Always Right.”
USA is the torch bearer of democracy in the world and apparently Presidents of USA had been reluctant to shake hand with uniform officers , let alone a regular meeting. Here it is second consecutive meeting in less than three and half months short time with the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan.
Here, most of Pakistanis do not have any objection on meeting of General Asim Munir first and the Prime Minister later and that alongwith the General because Pakistanis respect their Armed Forces more than any political leader. Pakistanis are looking forward to something better from USA in the context of meetings of Trump with a uniform official of their country.
The only thing that worries the political circles only , is about the long rule of military staying behind and keeping a political figure in the front. The model can be seen in the incumbent system of Pakistan.
Another matter of concern for some is , US is to get something big done by Pakistan and that is why American President is welcoming the most powerful person of Pakistan again and again in his office. Some political circles see it in the background of ” Israel Recognition” or ” Iran Context.” As far as , Israel is concerned, Pakistan already following Two State Formula that means Pakistan almost recognized Israel.
In case of Iran? It is hard to foresee what Pakistan can do for USA other than facilitate a negotiation. FM Asim Munir visited Iran alongwith Prime Minister and separately as well and both sides are in close contact and confidence regarding security matters in the region.
The Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, met senior Iranian military officials in Tehran on 27 May 2025 to discuss deepening defence cooperation.Key topics of mutual interest included enhancing military-to-military cooperation, strengthening border security mechanisms, and exploring opportunities to develop the shared border regions into zones of trade and economic activity—an initiative aimed at promoting regional peace and prosperity.H.E. Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran visited Pakistan when both sides further strengthened cooperation in all sectors.
Rare Minerlas !
Yes ! here everyone knows how much interest President Trump has in rare minerals that are abundant in Balochistan. Sides have already signed an MoU in this regard. The minerals in Balochistan and KP are secured or taken care of by the army definitely.
But here , we have to see, how Pakistan will convince China that has invested $26 Billion on CPEC that culminates in Balochistan. Again ! Gen Asim was in China during SCO Summit. He was among the delegation of Prime Minister in bilateral dialogue with President Xi. No one knows , President Xi asked something about Minerals agreement with USA or not? No information is available that Pakistani side took Iron Friend into confidence or not?
Press release from Prime Minister media team ; During their warm and cordial meeting, the Prime Minister expressed his deep admiration for President Trump, describing him as a “man of peace” who was engaged in sincere efforts to end conflicts around the globe.
He appreciated President Trump’s bold, courageous and decisive leadership that had facilitated the ceasefire between Pakistan and India thereby helping to avert a major catastrophe in South Asia.
While discussing the situation in the Middle East, the Prime Minister lauded President Trump’s efforts to bring about an immediate end to the war in Gaza, especially his initiative to invite key leaders of the Muslim world in New York, earlier this week, for a comprehensive exchange of views for restoration of peace in the Middle East, in particular Gaza and the West Bank.
The Prime Minister also thanked President Trump for the tariff arrangement that was concluded between Pakistan and the United States earlier this year.
While fondly recalling the longstanding partnership between the two countries, the Prime Minister expressed the confidence that under President Trump’s leadership, the Pakistan-U.S. partnership would be further strengthened to the mutual benefit of both countries.
In this regard, the Prime Minister invited the U.S. Companies to invest in Pakistan’s agriculture, I.T., mines and minerals and energy sectors.
The two leaders also discussed regional security including counter-terrorism cooperation. The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for his public endorsement of Pakistan’s role in counter-terrorism and stressed the need to further enhance cooperation in security and intelligence.
The Prime Minister also extended a warm and cordial invitation to President Trump to undertake an official visit to Pakistan, at his convenience.
Asim Munir’s Visits to USA
Earlier, President Trump held meeting with FM General Asim Munir on 19 June 2025 at his office. Discussions also encompassed avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation in multiple domains including trade, economic development, mines and minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies. President Trump expressed keen interest in forging a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests.
Field Marshal Asim Munir embarked on a second visit to USA on 10 Aug 2025. He termed his second visit to the United States in just 1.5 months a “new dimension” in ties between Washington and Islamabad. Field Marshal Munir engaged in high-level interactions with senior political and military leadership, as well as members of the Pakistani diaspora, the military’s media wing said earlier in the day.
