In a significant and unexpected diplomatic development, President Donald Trump is set to host Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for a private lunch at the White House on Wednesday. The meeting, scheduled in the Cabinet Room and closed to the press, marks a notable diplomatic success for Pakistan amid heightened regional tensions.
The invitation comes shortly after an Indian delegation met with US Vice President JD Vance earlier this month, a visit widely portrayed by Indian media as a diplomatic win. Islamabad officials now view Munir’s White House meeting as a powerful counter-narrative, underscoring Pakistan’s growing diplomatic stature.
Field Marshal Munir, who was promoted to the rare five-star rank last month—the first such elevation since Ayub Khan in 1959—is currently on a five-day official visit to the United States. During his trip, he has urged India to engage Pakistan “as a civilized nation” rather than pursue regional dominance, rejecting Indian allegations linking Pakistan to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
Speaking to the Pakistani American community at Washington’s Four Seasons Hotel, Munir condemned India’s cross-border aggression and warned against normalizing violations of international borders. “We would rather embrace martyrdom than accept this dishonor,” he declared to an enthusiastic crowd that greeted him with rose petals and chants of support.
The event also saw protests from opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters demanding democratic reforms and the release of jailed leaders, though their voices were largely overshadowed inside the venue.
On regional issues, Munir expressed Pakistan’s “clear and strong” support for Iran amid its conflict with Israel, while also backing US efforts to de-escalate tensions. “We want this war to end immediately,” he said.
A key highlight of Munir’s visit has been the strengthening of Pakistan-US counterterrorism cooperation, particularly against the Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) group. Gen. Michael Kurilla, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), praised Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” in combating IS-K militants along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Gen. Kurilla revealed to the House Armed Services Committee that Pakistani operations, supported by US intelligence, have killed dozens of IS-K militants and captured high-value targets, including Mohammad Sharifullah, a mastermind behind the deadly Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul that killed 13 American troops. “The first person Munir called was me,” Kurilla said. “He said, ‘I’ve caught him — ready to extradite him back to the US. Please tell the Secretary of Defence and the President.’” Sharifullah was promptly extradited.
In testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Kurilla noted Pakistan’s ongoing efforts, including “dozens of operations” to dismantle IS-K’s presence in border regions, underscoring Pakistan’s pivotal role in regional and global counterterrorism.
Despite facing significant security challenges—including over 1,000 terrorist attacks last year that claimed hundreds of lives—Gen. Kurilla lauded Pakistan’s partnership in the fight against terrorism.
During his address to the diaspora, Munir praised overseas Pakistanis for their vital contributions to the national economy, dismissing concerns about brain drain as a “brain gain.” He refrained from commenting on domestic politics and discouraged criticism of political figures, emphasizing the importance of protecting dissent in a democratic society.
