President Trump hosts Field Marshal Munir over lunch at White House
President Donald Trump on Wednesday hosted Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir for lunch in an unprecedented White House meeting, Aaj News reported.
The meeting, listed on the president's official schedule, was held in the Cabinet Room and closed to the press.
It was the first time that a U.S. president has hosted the powerful head of Pakistan's army, widely regarded as having sway over the country's national security policies, at the White House unaccompanied by senior Pakistani civilian officials.
Trump's lunch with Field Marshal Asim Munir represented a major boost in U.S.-Pakistan ties, which had largely languished under Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden, as both assiduously courted India as part of efforts to push back against China.
Asked what he wanted to achieve from the meeting, Trump told reporters at the White House:
'Well, I stopped a war … I love Pakistan. I think (Indian Prime Minister Narendra) Modi is a fantastic man. I spoke to him last night. We're going to make a trade deal with Modi of India.
'But I stopped the war between Pakistan and India. This man was extremely influential in stopping it from the Pakistan side, Modi from the India side and others,' he did, referring to Munir. 'They were going at it - and they're both nuclear countries. I got it stopped.'
On Tuesday, the COAS and the overseas Pakistanis pledged to work together towards a more secure, prosperous, and resilient Pakistan.
The COAS who is on an official visit to United States interacted with the overseas Pakistani community in Washington DC, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a press release.
'The diaspora warmly appreciated the outstanding performance of the Armed Forces during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos / Marka-e-Haq, showcasing their bravery and professionalism,' the ISPR said.
'He emphasized the importance of engagement with the overseas Pakistanis, highlighting the need for continued collaboration and cooperation to address common challenges and promote cooperation.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
35 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Dollar lower as ME conflict continues
NEW YORK: The US dollar traded mostly lower against the yen and edged higher against the Swiss franc on Wednesday as fighting between Israel and Iran spurred investors to scoop up safe havens, while a pending Federal Reserve rates decision restrained volatility. Israel has bombarded arch-enemy Iran over the past six days to halt its nuclear activity and has asserted the need for a change of government in the Islamic Republic. The US military is also bolstering its presence in the region, Reuters reported, stirring speculation about US intervention that investors fear could widen the conflict in an area with critical energy resources, supply chains and infrastructure. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement read by a state television presenter on Wednesday that his country would not accept US President Donald Trump's call for an unconditional surrender. The dollar has resumed its role as a safe haven, having gained around 1% against both the Japanese yen and Swiss franc since last Thursday. On Wednesday, the US currency took a breather, edging fractionally lower against the yen and the franc and more noticeably so against the euro and the pound. 'A lot of the (dollar's) safe haven appeal has faded, and that's why the move has been relatively limited so far,' said Matt Weller, global head of market research at StoneX. 'I think traders are just coming around to that realization and looking ahead to what I expect to be a very dovish hold from the Federal Reserve this afternoon.' Against a basket of six other major currencies, the dollar is still down around 8% so far this year, as confidence in the US economy and the reliability of Trump's administration as a trading and diplomatic partner has faded. With the Fed's decision on interest rates just hours away and US markets closed on Thursday for the Juneteenth federal holiday, activity in currencies was muted. Against the yen, the dollar fell 0.27% to 144.88 and was steady against the franc at 0.8169 francs. Traders expect the US central bank to leave borrowing costs unchanged and will parse what Chair Jerome Powell says about the outlook for growth and inflation. Uncertainty was already running high and recent data have begun to show the impact of Trump's erratic approach to trade and tariffs. The escalation of conflict in the Middle East, and the surge in crude oil prices to about $75 a barrel, have further complicated the picture for policymakers. 'I think everyone had expected they would shift dovish, but just given the CPI report and some of the underlying employment data recently, with the Iran situation kicking off and oil prices higher, we'll see how the Fed threads the needle,' said Brad Bechtel, global head of FX, at Jefferies. 'But I think most would expect they're going to be keeping their options open, remaining a little more cautious, which probably doesn't impact the dollar too much.' The dollar kept to weaker ranges even after data showed the number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell, but stayed elevated.
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
PTI warns oil reserves may run out in 10-12 days
ISLAMABAD: The opposition leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub on Wednesday issued a stark warning that the country's oil reserves could run dry in just 10 to 12 days, underscoring what he called the government's catastrophic economic collapse and ruthless political manoeuvring. Speaking at a presser flanked by senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Asad Qaiser, Senator Ali Zafar, Zartaj Gul, and others, Ayub tore into the government's 'flawed and inflation-fuelling' budget – accusing it of squeezing citizens with billions in fresh taxes while bungling the nation's already precarious finances. He further revealed a jaw-dropping admission by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of a multi-billion-rupee miscalculation – a fiscal blunder that threatens to deepen the country's economic abyss. Ayub also alleged the government continues to conspire against PTI lawmakers despite 'stealing' the February 2024 general elections and riding to power on a rigged mandate. 'The installed regime of Shehbaz Sharif remains obsessed with election rigging,' Ayub declared, pointing to the Punjab Police's blatant manipulation during the recent by-elections in Sialkot to favour a government-backed candidate – an act he branded as 'shameful' and a direct assault on democracy. The opposition leader did not hold back on the government's crackdown on dissent either, accusing it of stifling opposition voices and tightening control over the media – highlighted by the censorship of PTI lawmakers' speeches during the budget debate and blackouts of press conferences on critical national issues, especially the faltering economy. In a dramatic revelation, Ayub disclosed that three of his nomination papers were mysteriously rejected ahead of the last year's polls and alleged that election results were tampered with after 2am – a blatant undermining of democratic norms. Asad Qaiser condemned the current administration as 'born out of Form-47 manipulation,' blasting the government's media blackout of opposition members while ruling party officials bask in prime airtime. Senator Ali Zafar added to the chorus, warning that even the Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani is being sidelined in what he described as a 'serious institutional meltdown.' Meanwhile, PTI launched a scathing attack on the government's targeting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's family – particularly his wife, Bushra Bibi – while dismissing the recent visits by foreign delegations as mere 'luxury trips' that delivered no tangible benefits to Pakistan. With jail terms dragging on for key PTI figures, including cancer patient Dr Yasmin Rashid, PTI leaders vowed to fight back hard, pledging to win the ongoing battle for 'real independence' as envisioned by the jailed party founding chairman, Imran Khan. In a separate presser, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram, alongside MNAs Usman Mela and Mubeen Jutt, raised concerns over Pakistan's widening primary income deficit and escalating national debt. Citing economic reports, Akram said the deficit, currently estimated at $7.1 billion annually, is being driven by increased profit repatriation by foreign companies and declining returns from Pakistani firms abroad. This growing gap, he warned, is intensifying pressure on the country's external accounts. Mubeen Jutt claimed that Pakistan's total debt has surged to Rs76 trillion, up from Rs44 trillion three years ago when PTI was in power. He said that domestic banks now hold Rs51 trillion of this debt, while foreign banks account for Rs25 trillion. According to Jutt, annual interest payments total Rs7.5 trillion to local banks and Rs800 billion to foreign banks. Despite the central bank's policy rate being slashed from 22 per cent to 11 per cent and maintained at that level, domestic debt remains elevated – raising alarm among economists. Usman Mela criticised the recent budget's tax measures, which reduced levies on banks lending to the government but increased taxes on individual loans. 'The average borrower now faces a tax rate of 25%, up from 10%,' he said, calling the policy regressive. He noted domestic debt has nearly doubled from Rs28 trillion prior to the IMF programme to Rs51 trillion. While a three per cent interest rate cut could save Rs1 trillion annually, projected savings remain limited, with Rs7 trillion in interest payments expected this year. 'There appears to be disproportionate benefit to banks, with ordinary citizens effectively paying much higher rates,' Mela said, also questioning official projections of 9% industrial growth, citing a lack of on-ground expansion. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
A split forms in MAGA world as Trump weighs next steps on Iran, with some top stars rebuking him
KARACHI: A schism has opened among President Donald Trump's most devout MAGA supporters and national security conservatives over the Israel-Iran conflict, as some long-time defenders of the president's America First mantra call him out for weighing a greater US role in the region. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, commentator Tucker Carlson and conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk — with legions of their own devoted followers — are reminding audiences of Trump's 2024 promises to resist overseas military involvement after a week of deadly strikes and counter strikes between Israel and Iran, and discussion of US involvement. On social media and their popular airwaves, questions about Trump's stance from these central validating voices are exposing a crack in his forward guard. They are also warning that the schism could deter progress on other priorities. Trump says deal 'will be signed' eventually with Iran 'No issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy,' Kirk wrote on X, adding he was 'very concerned' that a massive split among MAGA could 'disrupt our momentum and our insanely successful Presidency.' The State Department and US military last week directed a voluntary evacuation of nonessential personnel and their loved ones from some U.S. diplomatic outposts in the Middle East. Trump on Monday abruptly departed this week's G7 Summit in Canada due to the intensifying conflict, returning to Washington for urgent talks with his national security team. He also posted an ominous social media warning that 'Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
