COAS makes pitch for trade with US

Express Tribune

6 hours ago

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Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has said that Pakistan does not seek security assistance or aid from the United States, but rather trade, investment and mutual respect.
Speaking at a closed-door session with senior scholars, policy experts, analysts and representatives of leading international media outlets in Washington, the army chief praised President Donald Trump as "one of the greatest and fantastic leaders", a day after their landmark meeting at the White House.
"We want to be treated with respect and dignity," Field Marshal Munir was quoted as saying by several participants of the session, who spoke to The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity.
According to at least three attendees, the army chief addressed a wide range of issues, including Pakistan-US bilateral ties, counter-terrorism, economic challenges, internal social dynamics, and the country's democratic journey. His candid and confident tone impressed many in the room.
"This was a different Asim Munir than the one we saw during his first visit to Washington," said one participant. "He was more composed, self-assured and spoke without notes for over an hour. Last time, he barely made an opening statement."
Contrary to narratives often pushed by India, attendees noted that Field Marshal Munir did not display any inclination towards radical or religious extremism.
Instead, he referenced a historic speech by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah emphasizing equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religion, caste, or creed.
On foreign relations, he asserted that Pakistan's ties with China and the United States are not mutually exclusive. "China has never asked us to limit our engagement with the US," he stated, urging Washington to view Pakistan through its own lens and not through the prism of China, India or Afghanistan.
The army chief also addressed democratic development in Pakistan, acknowledging that while Pakistan may not have achieved an ideal democracy yet, it aspires to build a democratic system modeled on strong institutions like those in the United States.
When asked about his two-hour-long meeting with President Trump, the field marshal declined to share specific details but described the interaction as "fantastic," praising Trump's "global vision" and "strategic clarity."
Touching on the volatile Middle East situation, Field Marshal Munir called for diplomacy and peaceful resolution of the Israel-Iran conflict. He also highlighted the destabilizing role India has played in the region, accusing New Delhi of supporting proxy groups to foment unrest inside Pakistan.
Overall, observers described the engagement as one of the most candid and strategically focused interactions by a Pakistani military leader in recent memory.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the ISPR said the interaction with prominent US think tanks and representatives of the strategic affairs institutions, provided an opportunity to articulate Pakistan's principled stance on key regional and global issues, and to deepen understanding of Pakistan's strategic outlook.
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff highlighted Pakistan's unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability, and its constructive role in fostering a rules-based international order.
The field marshal eluded to the details and analysis of the Maarka-e-Haq, Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and elaborated on Pakistan's perspective on terrorism, noting the malign influence of certain regional actors in sponsoring and perpetuating terrorism as a tool of hybrid warfare.
The COAS emphasised that Pakistan has been on the front lines of the global war against terrorism, having rendered immense sacrifices — both human and economic — in pursuit of a safer and more secure world.
Field Marshal Asim Munir shed light on Pakistan's remarkable untapped potential, particularly in the domains of information technology, agriculture, and its vast and underexploited reserves in the mining and mineral sectors. He invited international partners to explore collaborative opportunities in these sectors to unlock shared prosperity.
The army chief also provided a detailed exposition of Pakistan's balanced approach to regional and global conflicts, advocating for dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law. He reaffirmed that Pakistan continues to play a responsible and proactive role in mitigating regional tensions and promoting cooperative security frameworks.
The discussion further included an evaluation of the long-standing Pakistan-US partnership. The COAS underlined the historical convergences between the two nations, particularly in areas such as counter-terrorism, regional security, and economic development. He underscored the immense potential for a broader, multidimensional relationship built upon mutual respect, shared strategic interests, and economic interdependence.
Participants noted the openness and clarity of the COAS's perspectives and appreciated Pakistan's consistent and principled policies. The interaction was marked by a spirit of mutual understanding and was widely regarded as a positive step toward enhancing strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the United States.
This engagement reflects Pakistan's commitment to transparent diplomacy, international engagement, and the pursuit of peaceful coexistence through principled and proactive dialogue.