US President Donald Trump is set to host Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for a lunch meeting at the White House today. The engagement, scheduled for 10 PM Pakistan Standard Time, will take place in the Cabinet Room and is closed to the media.
This high-level meeting comes in the wake of last month’s aerial conflict between India and Pakistan, which reignited regional concerns. Field Marshal Munir is currently on a five-day official visit to the United States, marking a historic moment as Pakistan’s first five-star general since 1959.
During his trip, Munir addressed the Pakistani American community in Washington, calling on India to discard its pursuit of regional hegemony and instead opt for diplomatic engagement. Responding to Indian allegations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack, he dismissed them as fabricated justifications for cross-border aggression. “We would rather embrace martyrdom than accept this dishonour,” he stated, receiving enthusiastic support from the diaspora at an event hosted at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown.
Outside the venue, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-aligned demonstrators held protests, demanding democratic reforms and the release of imprisoned political leaders.
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In a significant statement, Field Marshal Munir reiterated Pakistan’s backing for Iran amid its ongoing war with Israel while endorsing US-led de-escalation efforts. “We want this war to end immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, General Michael Kurilla, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), praised Pakistan’s active role in counterterrorism operations. He highlighted the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah, a key planner behind the 2021 Kabul airport bombing that killed 13 American troops. Kurilla told Congress that Munir personally informed him of the arrest and offered Sharifullah’s extradition to the US, which was successfully completed.
Kurilla described Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” in combating Daesh-Khorasan (Daesh-K), noting that Pakistani forces—supported by US intelligence—have killed dozens of militants and arrested several top figures.
Field Marshal Munir also commended overseas Pakistanis for their economic contributions, dismissing concerns about brain drain. He emphasized the vital role of the diaspora in shaping a progressive and resilient Pakistan.
