Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has declared that Pakistan seeks trade, investment, and mutual respect—not aid or security assistance—from the United States. The statement came during a closed-door session in Washington, where Pakistan’s Army Chief met senior scholars, policy experts, and top media representatives a day after his meeting with former US President Donald Trump.
Speaking without notes for over an hour, Field Marshal Munir impressed attendees with his composed and confident demeanor. According to participants, he praised Trump as “one of the greatest and fantastic leaders” and described their White House meeting as “fantastic,” though he declined to divulge details.
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Rejecting narratives often associated with regional tensions, Munir emphasized equal rights for all Pakistanis, referencing a historic speech by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He made it clear that Pakistan’s relationships with China and the United States are not mutually exclusive, urging Washington to view Pakistan on its own terms rather than through the strategic lens of China, India, or Afghanistan.
The army chief reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to democratic development, acknowledging its imperfections but expressing a desire for a system built on institutional strength, similar to that of the United States. He also called for diplomatic resolution to conflicts in the Middle East and condemned India’s alleged destabilizing actions in the region.
A separate statement by the ISPR highlighted the COAS’s engagement with US think tanks, where he reiterated Pakistan’s dedication to regional peace, counter-terrorism, and global cooperation. He discussed the country’s sacrifices in the war on terror, the dangers of hybrid warfare, and Pakistan’s untapped potential in IT, agriculture, and mining—inviting global investors to explore partnerships.
Observers widely praised the session as one of the most open and strategically grounded dialogues by a Pakistani military leader in recent years, marking a renewed effort to strengthen US-Pakistan relations through mutual respect and shared interests.
