U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, on Wednesday during the general’s five-day official visit to Washington, according to the president’s public schedule. The high-level lunch meeting is set for 1:00 PM (Washington time) in the Cabinet Room of the White House.
The visit, described by both sides as “primarily bilateral in nature,” comes at a critical moment as tensions in the Middle East escalate due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. Munir is also expected to hold meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, signaling a strategic recalibration of U.S.-Pakistan military ties.
The White House meeting follows recent confusion after officials denied reports that Munir had been invited to attend the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations on June 14. Despite that, the Pentagon confirmed the current visit is aimed at reinforcing security cooperation.
Why the U.S. Needs Pakistan Right Now
The timing of Munir’s U.S. trip is geopolitically significant. As Israel’s war with Iran intensifies, Pakistan’s strategic location, bordering Iran, becomes increasingly vital for Washington’s regional calculations. Islamabad recently closed its land and air routes with Iran, likely in alignment with U.S. strategic interests, a move that has left hundreds stranded and risks shortages of essential goods in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, where Iranian imports often fill supply gaps.
The closures—particularly at key crossings like Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan—were reportedly enforced on Sunday as hostilities escalated. Analysts see the move as part of broader U.S.-Pakistan coordination as the conflict threatens to widen.
Protests Cloud Munir’s U.S. Visit
Munir’s visit has not been without controversy. Protesters, many aligned with the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, gathered outside the Four Seasons Hotel and the Pakistani Embassy in Washington. Demonstrators accused Munir of undermining democracy and chanted slogans labeling him a “coward” and “mass murderer,” calling for an end to military interference in civilian governance.
This marks General Munir’s first official U.S. visit since military clashes with India followed the April 22 terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. The confrontation de-escalated after Islamabad extended a ceasefire proposal to New Delhi. President Trump claimed he used trade leverage to broker the truce—an assertion Indian officials have rejected.
While the protests continue to follow Munir during his U.S. engagements, officials from both nations describe the current visit as a reset moment in U.S.-Pakistan military diplomacy, shaped by new regional urgencies and an evolving strategic alliance.
Source: NDTV
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
