Pakistan army chief Munir visits US again as ties gain momentum
Munir held talks with US Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Dan Caine and invited him to visit Pakistan, according to a statement from Pakistan's military wing. They discussed matters of "mutual professional interest,' it said.
Munir also attended a ceremony where US Central Command commander, General Michael E. Kurilla, retired and handed over office to Admiral Brad Cooper. Munir expressed "confidence in continued collaboration to address shared security challenges' at the event, according to the statement.
Munir's visit comes less than two months after he was hosted to a private lunch at the White House by President Donald Trump. As the leader of the military, Munir is widely seen as the most powerful person in Pakistan, wielding the final word on critical matters from foreign policy to internal politics and the economy.
Relations between the US and Pakistan have been improving after tensions in recent decades. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has praised Trump for brokering a ceasefire with India after a brief conflict in May, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has refused to acknowledge the US leader's role.
Trump slapped lower tariffs on Pakistani imports compared with others in the region such as Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. - Bloomberg
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Education, economic empowerment, social justice, and equitable development are key areas where MIC can still make a difference. But this requires more than policy papers and closed-door meetings. It demands direct engagement with communities, strategic alliances, and clear communication from top-tier leadership. The party's historic legacy does not guarantee a future. Relevance must be earned, and time is running out. If MIC fails to recalibrate and if it continues to wait for recognition rather than claim its place, it risks being reduced to a political footnote. GE16 is not just another election cycle for MIC. It is, quite possibly, the final opportunity to prove that it still matters. Politics rewards those who adapt, communicate, and negotiate. For MIC, the silence and ambiguity of the present are not signs of strategy but they are symptoms of decline. It's time to reshape the narrative decisively and take swift, purposeful action. ‒ Aug 12, 2025 R Paneir Selvam is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, a think tank specialising in strategic national and geopolitical matters. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Bernama
