 "Is Trump betting on Pakistan’s next president by embracing Asim Munir?")
Pakistan’s top military officer, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has been at the centre of a new chapter of engagement between Islamabad and Washington.
With two visits to the United States in less than two months — including a meeting at the White House with US President Donald Trump — there have been speculations of the possibility of a larger role for Munir in Pakistan.
While senior Pakistani officials have firmly denied any political ambition on Munir’s part, and insisted that the recent developments are strictly professional and diplomatic in nature, the military chief’s rising stature has prompted questions about whether his role could evolve beyond the barracks.
Munir’s August trip will see him in Tampa, Florida to attend the official ceremony marking the change of command at the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base.
CENTCOM had extended an official invitation to Munir to participate in the formal farewell event for US General Michael Kurilla.
This comes on the heels of Munir’s earlier visit in June 2025, where he was received at the White House by Trump for a private luncheon — an unprecedented moment in US-Pakistan diplomatic history.
The two-hour discussion covered a wide spectrum of topics, including trade, regional security, cryptocurrency, and economic development.
This marked the first time that a Pakistani military leader was hosted by an American president without any civilian representatives from Pakistan present.
During that meeting, Trump reportedly commended Munir’s role in de-escalating hostilities during the May hostilities between India and Pakistan, stating, “The reason I had him here was I wanted to thank him for not going into the war and ending it…”
Munir, in turn, described Trump’s intervention as deserving of international recognition, suggesting that the US president should be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize for “averting nuclear war”.
How US-Pakistan ties have changed under Trump
Under US President Joe Biden, Pakistan often found itself on the periphery of Washington’s strategic calculations, particularly after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In contrast, the Trump administration appears to be actively cultivating ties with Islamabad under a recalibrated foreign policy approach.
One outcome of this shift has been a reduction in trade tariffs. In recent weeks, Pakistan has benefited from a lowered US import duty — dropping from a prior 29 per cent to a more manageable 19 per cent — following diplomatic engagements led by Munir.
In exchange, Pakistan reportedly offered American companies access to its domestic oil reserves as part of a new trade arrangement. Trump announced the deal in July, positioning it as a strategic realignment in the region.
Beyond hydrocarbons, Pakistan has also presented itself as a viable partner in the digital economy. Munir is reported to have pitched Pakistan’s potential in cryptocurrency and mining industries, aligning with Trump’s interest in non-traditional sectors.
Islamabad has also conveyed interest in helping shape US policy in the Gulf region, including Iran, and potentially fostering new relationships between Muslim-majority countries and Israel.
Why Munir’s second visit to the US matters
Kurilla, the outgoing CENTCOM commander, was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (military)—Pakistan’s highest military honour—in a state ceremony held in Islamabad in July.
The award recognised his contributions to regional security and efforts in bolstering strategic defence coordination with Pakistan.
Following the ceremony, Pakistan’s government praised Kurilla’s role in building a “robust” partnership between the two armed forces.
Munir’s attendance at the CENTCOM farewell is widely seen as a reciprocal gesture, and further evidence of how military diplomacy has once again become the focal point of bilateral engagement.
In addition to the official events, Munir is scheduled to attend a private dinner hosted by Adnan Asad, a Pakistani-American businessman with longstanding ties to military and political circles, reported The Print.
Asad, who is based in Florida and is related to former Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, has extensive experience in logistics and supplies for international military operations.
His company, Venus Group, has long supported defence contractors, particularly during US military deployments overseas.
Why Munir is being “discussed” for a more exposed role
The buzz around a possible transition into political life has grown louder since Munir’s promotion in May to the ceremonial rank of Field Marshal — a distinction rarely granted in Pakistan.
Only one other individual, Pakistan General Ayub Khan, has previously held the title in the country. Ayub went on to seize power and become president after a 1958 coup.
This historical parallel has not gone unnoticed, but Pakistani officials have repeatedly emphasised that Munir’s elevation is purely symbolic. The title, derived from British military tradition, does not confer any executive powers or additional operational authority.
It is instead an acknowledgment of Munir’s role in overseeing Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, which was carried out during Pakistan’s recent confrontation with India.
The operation saw Pakistani forces mobilised during a four-day exchange that included drone and missile strikes.
India had launched Operation Sindoor in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead. India targeted nine terror facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, reportedly resulting in the deaths of more than 100 terrorists.
While Trump has claimed that he brokered the subsequent ceasefire, India has maintained that the resolution was achieved through Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks without external involvement.
Nonetheless, Munir’s role during the crisis earned him national acclaim in Pakistan.
Just a rumour… according to Pak officials
Despite the persistent speculation, Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership has forcefully rejected the idea that Munir is preparing for a move into the presidency.
Speaking to The Economist, ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry called the claims “completely baseless”, saying, “Talks about Field Marshal Asim Munir becoming the president of Pakistan are completely baseless.”
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed the sentiment, labelling the rumour mill as a “malicious campaign.”
He stated that “President Zardari enjoys a strong and respectful relationship with the leadership of the armed forces” and stated that “Munir’s sole focus is Pakistan’s strength and stability, and nothing else.”
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also addressed the reports last month, saying, “Field Marshal Asim Munir has never expressed any desire to become the president, nor is there any such plan in the offing.”
He described his relationship with both the president and the military chief as being built on mutual respect and dedication to Pakistan’s development.
Chaudhry was even more direct in dismissing the idea, stating: “There is no truth whatsoever to suggestions that the army chief seeks the presidency.”
But it remains a fact, that the Pakistan army chief has succeeded in fostering a more favourable climate in Washington — something that had eluded previous governments in recent years.
With inputs from agencies
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