Washington, June 18, 2025 – Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met US President Donald Trump for a closed-door lunch at the White House today, marking a rare high-level engagement amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and South Asia.
The meeting, held at 1 p.m. in the White House Cabinet Room, comes as the US considers supporting Israeli airstrikes on Iran, a nation with complex ties to Pakistan. Munir, widely regarded as Pakistan’s most influential figure with authority over foreign policy, security, and economic matters, is on a five-day visit to the US to strengthen bilateral ties. The discussions, closed to the press, are seen as a strategic move by the Trump administration to leverage Pakistan’s regional influence, particularly in the context of the Iran-Israel conflict.
Pakistan has signaled its intent to mediate in the Middle East, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stating on Monday that Iran is open to negotiations if Israel halts further strikes. This follows Pakistan’s historical nuclear ties with Iran, notably through Abdul Qadeer Khan, who allegedly shared centrifuge technology with Tehran decades ago. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently expressed solidarity with Iran, condemning Israel’s actions as “unprovoked aggression” and urging global efforts to end the conflict.
The meeting also occurs against the backdrop of strained India-Pakistan relations following a deadly April 22 attack in Kashmir, which India attributed to Pakistan-backed terrorism. While Trump claimed to have brokered a ceasefire using trade leverage, India has firmly rejected this narrative, asserting the ceasefire was initiated through military channels. Pakistan, however, has welcomed the US’s diplomatic engagement.
Analysts suggest the talks may cover broader issues, including counterterrorism, critical minerals, and cryptocurrency cooperation, reflecting Munir’s extensive influence. Munir is also expected to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his visit, underscoring Pakistan’s strategic importance to the US amid regional volatility.
The engagement has sparked controversy, with protests by Pakistani-Americans and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI party outside Munir’s hotel in Washington, accusing him of undermining democracy. Despite the backlash, the meeting signals a renewed US focus on Pakistan as a key partner in navigating complex geopolitical challenges.
