Civil–military unity behind improved US engagement, says Khawaja Asif

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Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has termed Civil–military unity behind improved US engagement as he described the meeting between Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump as a 'milestone' in the history of Pakistan–US relations.
Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir held a one-on-one meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House over lunch on Wednesday.
During the two-hour meeting, the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, focusing on expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies.
They also exchanged views on regional security matters, including counter-terrorism efforts, the recent ceasefire between Pakistan and India, and rising tensions in the Middle East.
فیلڈ مارشل عاصم منیر اور صدر ٹرمپ کی ملاقات پاک امریکہ تعلقات میں ایک سنگ میل ھے۔ اس سے پہلے امریکہ صدر کی پاکستانی آرمی چیف کی دعوت اور ملاقات کی مثال نہیں یہ تعلقات کی 78سال کی تاریخ سب سے اھم موڑ ھے۔ اس ملاقات میں جسطرح بین الاقوامی اور خطہ کے معاملات زیر بحث آۓ اس سے وطنُ… — Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) June 19, 2025
In a statement posted on X, Asif said that never before in the 78-year diplomatic history of the two countries had a US president invited and met a Pakistani Army chief in this manner.
'This is a turning point in the 78-year history of our relations,' he said. 'The way regional and international issues were discussed during this meeting highlighted Pakistan's strategic importance. Our role in resolving global matters was acknowledged.'
According to Asif, the discussion also brought renewed international attention to the longstanding India–Pakistan disputes, particularly the situation in Kashmir.
'This is the success of the current hybrid model of governance,' he added, referring to the political-military coordination under PM Shehbaz Sharif and COAS Munir.
'The revival of the economy, India's diplomatic setbacks, and the dignified, successful improvement in relations with the United States — all these revolutionary changes have been made possible due to the strong coordination between Islamabad and Rawalpindi.'
Read More: Trump calls meeting COAS Munir an honour at White House luncheon
US President Donald Trump called his meeting with COAS Munir 'an honour' after a luncheon held at the White House on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media after the event, Trump extended his gratitude to Pakistan's military chief for visiting and acknowledged the army chief's role in helping avert further military escalation with India.
'It is an honour for me to meet Asim Munir,' Trump said. 'I invited him to thank him for not going to war. He deserves appreciation for helping secure the ceasefire.'
'Pakistan and India are both nuclear powers,' the US president said. 'We're in talks with Pakistan on a trade agreement. The leadership of both nations is truly remarkable.'

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