WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD — June 18: In a rare and symbolically powerful move, U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for lunch at the White House today, a diplomatic event many observers are calling a turning point in Pakistan-US relations.
According to President Trump’s official schedule, the luncheon — taking place at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (10:00 PM PST) — is being held in the Cabinet Room and remains closed to the press. It marks a significant engagement between Pakistan’s military leadership and the U.S. executive at a time of evolving regional dynamics and a fragile peace between India and Pakistan.
Field Marshal Munir’s U.S. visit comes just weeks after a major flare-up between the nuclear-armed neighbors that raised fears of escalation in South Asia. President Trump previously claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire, though Indian officials insist the de-escalation resulted from direct military talks.
Despite this, Islamabad has praised Washington’s role, and the visit is being framed as a diplomatic win for Pakistan — particularly after Indian officials were earlier received by U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Pakistani commentators are now presenting Munir’s invitation to the White House as a diplomatic counterweight to India’s outreach.
Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari welcomed the development, stating:
“Today, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir will meet with Donald Trump over lunch, a positive step in Pakistan-US relations. Especially given the president’s role in mediating a ceasefire.”
“Following Pakistan’s decisive victory in the recent five-day war, India has regrettably resisted all efforts toward a permanent peace, including US-led diplomacy.”
“There is no military solution to our disputes. India’s weaponisation of water, repression in Kashmir, and politicisation of terrorism are unsustainable positions. The path forward lies in honest diplomacy — not denial.”
Today, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, will meet with @realDonaldTrump over lunch, a positive step in Pakistan US relations. Especially given the president’s role in mediating a ceasefire.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 18, 2025
Following Pakistan’s decisive victory in the recent five-day…
During a recent address to the Pakistani-American community in Washington, Munir also rejected Indian allegations linking Pakistan to a deadly attack in Pahalgam, labeling them a “pretext for cross-border aggression.”
“We would rather embrace martyrdom than accept this dishonour,” he said, drawing cheers from supporters who showered him with rose petals.
While Munir avoided domestic political discussions, he emphasized the value of dissent in democracy, responding calmly to remarks about political opponents.
“Democratic societies must protect the right to dissent,” he said.
Michael Kugelman, a U.S.-based South Asia expert, noted the broader context:
“There’s been US-Pak engagement on critical minerals, crypto, counterterrorism. Trump takes a deep personal interest in all of these. And Munir is empowered to talk about it all. Also, Kashmir.”
FWIW the scheduled Trump-Munir meet shouldn’t only be seen through the lens of the Israel-Iran war. There’s been US-Pak engagement on critical minerals, crypto, CT. Trump takes a deep personal interest in all of these. And Munir is empowered to talk about it all.
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) June 18, 2025
Also, Kashmir.
A key outcome of the visit appears to be deeper cooperation in counterterrorism. U.S. CENTCOM Commander Gen Michael Kurilla told Congress that Pakistan had been a “phenomenal partner” in operations against ISIS-Khorasan (IS-K), particularly along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Kurilla revealed that Pakistan’s operations — backed by U.S. intelligence — had led to the capture of Mohammad Sharifullah, a key suspect in the Abbey Gate bombing that killed 13 U.S. troops in Kabul.
“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 swiftly handed over to the U.S., further cementing the security partnership.
Diplomatic sources have also emphasized that the White House meeting, taking place before any recent official Indian visit of comparable stature, is a reflection of Washington’s recalibrated approach toward Islamabad — particularly in the context of regional stability and shared counterterrorism priorities.
Field Marshal Munir, who recently became Pakistan’s first five-star general since Ayub Khan, is currently on a five-day official visit to the United States. The White House lunch is being widely seen as the symbolic highlight of the trip — and potentially a foundation for future diplomatic and strategic engagement between the two countries.