Latest news with #Inter-ServicesPublicRelations
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Trump conveyed Pakistan's concerns over Iran-Israel war
A day after the landmark meeting between US President Donald Trump and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the White House, Pakistan on Thursday reiterated its opposition to a military solution and emphasised diplomacy as the preferred way to resolve the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. At his weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated that the Pakistani delegation, led by the field marshal, likely conveyed Islamabad's concerns and stance on the escalating conflict during the meeting. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also released a statement confirming a "detailed exchange" between the two sides on the prevailing tensions in the Middle East, particularly the Israel-Iran situation. Both leaders reportedly stressed the need for a peaceful resolution through dialogue. Responding to a question on President Trump's remark that "Pakistan is not happy with the situation", the spokesperson said the field marshal must have clearly communicated Pakistan's position and concerns during the high-level discussions "Pakistan's authoritative position is conveyed in the foreign ministry's statement, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar's, statement in the Senate. So, you put two together, you can understand what must have been conveyed by our side, our concerns," the spokesperson explained. He, however, would not say any role was being envisaged for Pakistan in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. "But what we can say is, we condemn what Israel is doing in Iran. It is in violation of all rules of civilized behavior, interstate relation, international law and international humanitarian law. This is very clear." "We prefer and are open to support any diplomatic effort which can lead to the de-escalation and restoration of peace," he further said. Sources said the Trump administration was told that diplomacy was the only way forward and any other means to resolve the conflict would have far reaching implications. Trump and his team were briefed by the Pakistani side about the likely implications, which prompted the US president to tell reporters later that Pakistan knew more about Iran than many others. Meanwhile, the military's media wing on Thursday provided more details about the meeting at the White House and what transpired in over two-hour long exchange with Trump. The high-level engagement was scheduled at the Cabinet Room over Luncheon followed by a visit to the Oval Office. President Trump was accompanied by Secretary of State Senator Marco Rubio, and Mr Steve Witkoff, the US Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs. Field Marshal Asim Munir was joined in by Pakistan's National Security Adviser. During the meeting, the Chief of Army Staff conveyed the deep appreciation of the government and the people of Pakistan for President Trump's constructive and result-oriented role in facilitating a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in the recent regional crisis. The COAS acknowledged President Trump's statesmanship and his ability to comprehend and address the multifaceted challenges faced by the global community. President Trump, in turn, lauded Pakistan's ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability, and appreciated the robust counter-terrorism cooperation between the two states. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration in the field of counter-terrorism. Discussions also encompassed avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation in multiple domains including trade, economic development, mines and minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies. President Trump expressed keen interest in forging a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests. President Trump commended Field Marshal Asim Munir's leadership and decisiveness during a period of complex regional dynamics. In a gesture reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir extended an invitation to President Trump, on behalf of the government of Pakistan, to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date. Although initially scheduled for one hour, the meeting extended for over two hours, underscoring the depth and cordiality of the dialogue. "The engagement marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to reinforce the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the United States, built upon shared objectives of peace, stability, and prosperity," said ISPR. Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump discussed trade, economic development, and cryptocurrency during their meeting at the White House on Wednesday, the army said. "President Trump expressed keen interest in forging a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests," the army said in a statement on Thursday. (With additional input from Reuters)
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
COAS, Trump discuss trade, crypto
ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, met with former US President Donald J. Trump at the White House in a high-level engagement that began with a luncheon in the Cabinet Room and continued with a visit to the Oval Office. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), President Trump was accompanied by Secretary of State Senator Marco Rubio, and Steve Witkoff, the US Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs. Field Marshal Asim Munir was joined in by Pakistan's National Security Advisor. During the meeting, the Chief of Army Staff conveyed the deep appreciation of the Government and people of Pakistan for President Trump's constructive and result-oriented role in facilitating a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in the recent regional crisis. Trump praises Field Marshal over ceasefire with India The COAS acknowledged President Trump's statesmanship and his ability to comprehend and address the multifaceted challenges faced by the global community. President Trump, in turn, lauded Pakistan's ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability and appreciated the robust counter-terrorism cooperation between the two states. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration in the field of counter-terrorism. Discussions also encompassed avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation in multiple domains including trade, economic development, mines and minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies. President Trump expressed keen interest in forging a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests. A detailed exchange of views also took place on the prevailing tensions between Iran and Israel, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of resolution of the conflict. President Trump commended Field Marshal Asim Munir's leadership and decisiveness during a period of complex regional dynamics. In a gesture reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir extended an invitation to President Trump, on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date. Although initially scheduled for one hour, the meeting extended for over two hours, underscoring the depth and cordiality of the dialogue. Reuters adds: Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump discussed trade, economic development, and cryptocurrency during their meeting at the White House, the Pakistan army said. 'President Trump expressed keen interest in forging a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests,' the army said in a statement on Thursday. Munir and Trump also exchanged views on prevailing tensions between Israel and Iran, the statement added. Reuters adds: Separatist and jihadist militants on the Pakistan-Iran border could take advantage of any collapse of authority in Iran, fears that army chief pressed in a meeting this week with the US President Donald Trump. Anti-Iranian and anti-Pakistan outfits operate on both sides of the 560-mile (900km) long border. As Israel bombs Iran's nuclear program, its officials have repeatedly indicated that they are seeking to destabilize the Iranian government or see it toppled. As well as worrying about chaos spilling over from Iran, Pakistan is concerned about the precedent set by Israel of attacking the nuclear installations of another country. Nuclear-armed rivals Pakistan and India fought a four-day conflict in May. Following a Wednesday lunch at the White House with army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Trump said: 'They're not happy about anything', referring to Pakistan's views on the Israel-Iran conflict. Pakistan's military said on Thursday that the two had discussed Iran, 'with both leaders emphasizing the importance of resolution of the conflict'. Pakistan has condemned Israel's attack on Iran as a violation of international law. 'This is for us a very serious issue what is happening in our brotherly country of Iran,' Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesman for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Thursday. 'It imperils the entire regional security structures, it impacts us deeply.' Some of the militant groups on the border have welcomed the upheaval. Jaish al-Adl (JaA), an Iranian jihadist group formed from Baloch and Sunni Muslim minorities and which operates from Pakistan, said Israel's conflict with Iran was a great opportunity. 'Jaish al-Adl extends the hand of brotherhood and friendship to all the people of Iran and calls on all people, especially the people of Balochistan, as well as the armed forces, to join the ranks of the Resistance,' the group said in a statement on June 13. Conversely, Pakistan fears that separatist militants from its own Baloch minority, which are based in Iran, will also seek to step up attacks. 'There's a fear of ungoverned spaces, which would be fertile ground for terrorist groups,' said Maleeha Lodhi, a former ambassador to Washington. Pakistan has unstable borders with Taliban-run Afghanistan and arch-rival India. It does not want to add another volatile frontier on its long border with Iran. The Iran-Pakistan border region is populated with Baloch who have long complained about discrimination and launched separatist movements. On Pakistan's side, the region is a province called Balochistan and in Iran it is Sistan-Baluchistan. Until Israel's bombing of Iran, Tehran was closer to Pakistan's arch-rival India. Pakistan and Iran had even traded air strikes last year, accusing each other of harbouring Baloch militants. But the attack on Iran has upended alliances, as India has not condemned Israel's bombing campaign. China has also said that it is deeply concerned about the security situation in Balochistan, with the area being a focus of Beijing's multi-billion dollar infrastructure investment program in Pakistan, centred on the new Chinese-run port of Gwadar. Baloch militant groups in Pakistan have previously targeted Chinese personnel and projects. On Iranian side of the border, Tehran has at different times accused Pakistan, Gulf nations, Israel and the United States of backing the anti-Iran Baloch groups. Simbal Khan, an analyst based in Islamabad, said the different Baloch groups could morph into a 'greater Balochistan' movement which seeks to carve out a new nation from the Baloch areas of Pakistan and Iran. 'They're all going to fight together if this blows up,' said Khan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
DG ISPR holds interactive session with Saylani IT Programme students
ISLAMABAD: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif held a special interactive session with students of the Saylani IT Programme in Karachi, where he was warmly welcomed by the young participants. During the engaging session, students asked the DG ISPR a wide range of questions concerning Pakistan's internal and external security landscape as well as the broader regional and global dynamics. Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif emphasised Pakistan's commitment to peace, stating, 'The success of Operation Bunyan al-Marsus is a triumph of peace. Pakistan has always preferred peace over war.' He further lauded the students for their awareness and engagement, saying, 'You are the vanguard in the Information warfare battlefield. Your role in defending Pakistan's narrative is invaluable.' Highlighting the strength of the armed forces, the DG ISPR stated, 'Pakistan's military is an organized and professional institution, which performs its duties in strict accordance with the Constitution and directives of the state.' He reiterated that Pakistan will continue playing its role as a net regional stabiliser and will always stand firm in safeguarding its sovereignty and regional peace. The students, in turn, expressed their commitment to stand with the armed forces, declaring, 'We are ready to make every sacrifice for the protection of our homeland, on any front where the Pakistan Army needs us.' They described the session as insightful and appreciated the DG ISPR's candid interaction, urging that such engagements continue in the future. 'The Pakistan Armed Forces are our identity, and we, the people, are their real strength,' the students remarked. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
11 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Trump expressed keen interest in trade partnership with Pakistan: Pak Army
US President Donald Trump has expressed "keen interest" in developing a "mutually beneficial" trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests, the army here said on Thursday. In a statement after a meeting between Trump and Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir at the White House Wednesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) - the media wing of the Pakistan Army - said they also discussed joint counterterrorism efforts. During the high-level engagement, the discussions also encompassed avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation in multiple domains, including trade, economic development, mines and minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies, the ISPR said. "President Trump expressed keen interest in forging a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests," said the statement. In the first formal reaction by the Pakistan government, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday said the meeting between Army Chief Munir and President Trump helped to highlight the Pak-India conflict. In a post on X, Asif said the meeting is a milestone in Pak-US relations because this is the first time that a US President has invited and met a Pakistani Army Chief. Describing the Trump-Munir meeting as the most important turning point in the 78-year history of relations, Asif said the development is the success of the current hybrid model of governance, involving the elected government and the army. His comments seem to be a departure from the past when political parties demanded non-interference of the army in political affairs. The Chief of Army Staff conveyed the deep appreciation of the Government and people of Pakistan for President Trump's constructive and result-oriented role in facilitating a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in the recent regional crisis, the ISPR said. He acknowledged President Trump's statesmanship and his ability to comprehend and address the multifaceted challenges faced by the global community, the statement added. President Trump, in turn, lauded Pakistan's ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability, and appreciated the robust counter-terrorism cooperation between the two states, the ISPR said. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration in the field of counter-terrorism, it added. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff accompanied Trump. Munir was joined by National Security Advisor Lt Gen Asim Malik, who is also the head of the intelligence agency ISI. No senior civilian official from Pakistan was present. A detailed exchange of views also took place on the prevailing tensions between Iran and Israel, with both leaders emphasising the importance of resolution of the conflict, the ISPR said. President Trump commended Munir's leadership and decisiveness during a period of complex regional dynamics, it said. In a "gesture reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties", Munir extended an invitation to President Trump, on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date, the statement said. Although initially scheduled for one hour, the meeting was extended for over two hours, underscoring the depth and cordiality of the dialogue, it added. The engagement marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to reinforce the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the United States, built upon shared objectives of peace, stability, and prosperity, according to the statement. Separately, President Trump said it was an honour for him to meet the Chief of Army Staff during a luncheon held at the Cabinet Room in the White House, the first-ever such honour for any Pakistani army chief. It is rare for the US president to host a lunch for an army chief of a foreign country. There have been precedents of Pakistan army chiefs, including Ayub Khan, Zia ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf, receiving such invites. But they were holding the post of president as well. Speaking to the media after the event, Trump extended his gratitude to Pakistan's military chief for visiting and acknowledged his role in helping stop war with India. I was honoured to meet him (Field Marshal Munir) today, Trump said. I invited him to thank him for not going to war. He deserves appreciation for helping secure the ceasefire. When asked if the talks included the Iran-Israel conflict, Trump said: They (Pakistan) know Iran very well, better than most, and they're not happy about anything. It's not that they're bad with Israel. They know them both, actually, but they know Iran better." According to experts, the meeting was a significant boost for relations between the two countries, which had been under strain for years due to suspicion in the US that Pakistan failed to help it stabilize Afghanistan, which resulted in a hasty withdrawal from the country in 2021. The meeting comes after the recent tension with India and Trump umpteen times took credit for stopping the war for which Pakistan thanked him for his role.
Hans India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Pak army chief Munir's meeting with Trump lasted over two hours: ISPR
Islamabad: Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir held wide-ranging discussions on counter-terrorism efforts, rising tensions in the Middle East and enhancement of bilateral trade during his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, the Pakistani military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated on Thursday. The meeting took place at a time when Munir's visit to the US has been overshadowed by widespread protests led by members of the Pakistani diaspora and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Reports suggest that the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs Steve Witkoff also took part in the meeting. From the Pakistani side, Munir was accompanied by the Director General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik. According to the ISPR, the meeting, initially scheduled for one hour, extended for over two hours, "underscoring the depth and cordiality of the dialogue". The discussions, it said, also encompassed avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation in multiple domains, including trade, economic development, mines and minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies. "President Trump expressed keen interest in forging a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests. Munir acknowledged President Trump's statesmanship and his ability to comprehend and address the multifaceted challenges faced by the global community," ISPR stated. While Munir's visit is being projected as a step towards strengthening military and strategic ties with Washington, the recent backlash from overseas Pakistanis turned his stay at the luxury hotel in Washington into a scene of charged demonstrations. Protesters chanted slogans accusing Munir of human rights violations, branding him as "Pakistanio ke qatil" and "Islamabad ke qatil" -- meaning "killer of Pakistanis" and "killers of Islamabad", respectively. A video widely circulated on social media showed one protester yelling, "Geedad, geedad, geedad (jackal, jackal, jackal)", a derogatory term used to suggest cowardice and deceit. The clip quickly went viral and was described by analysts as a public embarrassment for the Pakistani military establishment. Pakistani-Americans demonstrating outside the hotel stated that their goal was to remind General Munir of the crimes he is allegedly responsible for against the people of Pakistan. This is Munir's first official US trip since the April 22 terror attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead. The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the massacre.
