Latest news with #Nishan-e-Imtiaz
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
India Makes Stunning Russia Oil Move In Response To Trump Sanctions Threat
Asim Munir To Visit US Again To Bid Farewell To General Who Called Pakistan A 'Phenomenal Partner' Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is heading to the United States again, his second visit in just two months. This time, he's attending the farewell of US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael Kurilla, a figure known for calling Pakistan a 'phenomenal partner' in counter-terrorism. The growing warmth between the US military and Pakistan's top brass comes amid rising concerns in India about being strategically sidelined. Kurilla, during a US House Armed Services hearing, praised Pakistan's role in capturing ISIS-K terrorists. His visit to Islamabad earlier this year even earned him Pakistan's prestigious "Nishan-e-Imtiaz" award.#asimmunir #pakistanarmy #donaldtrump #indiausrelations #usapakties #operationsindoor #pahalgamattack #nobelpeaceprize #tariffwar #russianoil 3.0K views | 1 day ago
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pak army chief Asim Munir to visit US this week, second time in 2 months: Report
Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir is reportedly going to visit the US this week, his second visit in two months after military skirmishes with India. In this picture taken on May 21, 2025 and released by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir (C) salutes after laying wreath on the martyrs' monument during a guard of honor ceremony at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. (Photo by HANDOUT / Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) / AFP) / XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO/Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR)" - HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS(AFP) This visit is apparently a reciprocal trip, to attend a farewell event for US Central Command chief General Michael E Kurilla in Tampa, Florida, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported citing sources. Kurilla was in Pakistan last month where he was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan's top honours. Field Marshal Munir was hosted by US President Donald Trump for a private lunch at the White House in June. That was one of the occasions where Trump claimed to have brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. In fact, he had praised Munir for it too. India has insisted that its foreign policy decisions — including the ceasefire — are not governed by any foreign influence. The Pakistan army, meanwhile, has rubbished rumours of Field Marshal Munir becoming the country's president.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan: Asim Munir to visit US a second time in 2 months
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is set to visit the United States for the second time in two months, a move that underscores the growing military alignment between Islamabad and Washington yet also highlights the intensifying political divisions Munir faces at home and abroad. He is expected to attend the farewell ceremony of US Central Command (Centcom) commander General Michael E Kurilla in Tampa, Florida this week. The visit follows Kurilla's own trip to Pakistan in July during which he was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military), one of the country's top honours, for strengthening defence ties. This renewed military engagement reflects a strategic recalibration after years of tension. In June, Munir made headlines for being hosted at a private White House lunch by US President Donald Trump, an unprecedented gesture for a Pakistani military chief, notably unaccompanied by any civilian leaders. Trump publicly credited Munir with defusing a crisis with India following the Pahalgam terror attack, and even claimed the general helped 'avert a nuclear war'. New Delhi maintains that the cessation of hostilities was on account of an understanding between India and Pakistan to stop military action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Might Want To Buy Baking Soda In Bulk After Reading This Read More Undo However, Munir's engagements in the US have not gone unchallenged. On Aug 5, coordinated protests erupted in multiple US and European cities on the call of imprisoned former PM Imran Khan, demanding his release and condemning the military's role in the post-May 9, 2023 crackdown. The demonstrations – organized largely by the Pakistani diaspora and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chapters – signaled Khan's continued influence despite being behind bars. These protests followed similar scenes in June during Munir's previous US visit. Outside Washington's Four Seasons Hotel, demonstrators shouted slogans such as 'mass murderer' and 'dictator', while a digital billboard in New York's Times Square branded Munir a 'fraud' and 'liar'. PTI supporters accuse the military of orchestrating a 'civilian façade' to mask what they call outright military rule. Despite mounting protests and international scrutiny, Washington appears eager to re-engage with Pakistan's military. At a congressional hearing in June, Gen Kurilla praised Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in counterterrorism, citing cooperation in capturing five ISIS-Khorasan operatives using US intelligence. The Trump administration sees Pakistan's military as a critical player amid regional instability, especially as tensions flare in the Middle East and China expands its footprint across South and Central Asia. Pakistan is also offering a broader strategic package. Proposals reportedly include duty-free access for rare earth minerals, cooperation in emerging tech and cryptocurrency regulation, and expanded trade ties — all of which enhance the military's leverage in shaping foreign policy and economic outreach. But Munir's growing international profile has reignited debate over Pakistan's internal power structure. Critics say his high-level US engagements, while excluding civilian representatives, reinforce the military's dominance over national decision-making. With Khan silenced and democratic space shrinking, many fear a deepening authoritarian trajectory. Online opinion remains sharply polarised. Some hail Munir's diplomatic overtures as pragmatic and strategic, while others decry the US for legitimising what they see as military overreach. 'A slap in the face to democracy,' one PTI supporter posted. As Munir heads to Tampa, he faces a dual test: to solidify Pakistan's global standing while fending off mounting domestic and diaspora opposition. For now, the military's control remains unshaken — but so does the resistance.
The Print
2 days ago
- Business
- The Print
Pakistan army chief Asim Munir to attend CENTCOM chief's farewell, second visit to US in two months
This will be Munir's second visit to the US after his tour in June that included a two-hour luncheon meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. Later, Pakistan nominated Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The event, scheduled to take place at CENTCOM Headquarters in MacDill Air Force Base, follows Kurilla's praise of Pakistan a few weeks ago for its counter-terrorism cooperation. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) had invited Munir to attend the change of command ceremony. New Delhi: Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir is set to travel to Tampa this week to attend the official farewell ceremony of the U.S. CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla. Kurilla earlier was awarded Pakistan's prestigious Nishan-e-Imtiaz (military) last month in a high-profile ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad. According to Radio Pakistan, the award recognised General Kurilla's 'outstanding contributions to regional security and dedicated efforts in enhancing US-Pakistan strategic defense cooperation.' In Tampa, Munir will attend a private dinner being hosted on 8 August by Florida-based Pakistani-American businessman Adnan Asad, sources told ThePrint. The dinner will bring together a select group of guests from military, business, and diplomatic communities. Adnan Asad, a cousin of the late Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, is a prominent figure with deep-rooted connections in political, military, and business circles. Based in Florida, Asad owns Venus Group, a company that has long provided military-grade food and logistical supplies to international defense contractors, including during periods of major overseas military deployments. Once a small-time tissue paper manufacturer, Asad's business empire expanded significantly during Musharraf's rule. He had cultivated close relationships with now-jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. In August 2019, he hosted an extravagant pre-wedding celebration for his daughter in Karachi, famously dubbed the 'Mika Singh Night'. The event featured a performance by pop singer Mika Singh and was attended by family members of India's most wanted underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, according to several media reports. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: India's air defence system foiled 1,000 Pakistani drone attacks on 9 May—Modi tells Parliament
Arab News
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan confers award on CENTCOM chief for promoting Islamabad-Washington military ties
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari this week conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) award on United States Central Command (CENTCOM) chief General Michael E. Kurilla for promoting military cooperation between the two states, state-run media said. Kurilla arrived in Pakistan to attend a rare regional defense conference on Saturday in which officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan also took part. Zardari conferred the award on General Kurilla during a formal investiture ceremony in Islamabad on Saturday, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported, acknowledging his 'outstanding contributions' to regional security and his dedicated efforts in strengthening strategic defense ties between the two countries. 'The award has been given in recognition of his exemplary service and pivotal role in advancing enduring military cooperation between Pakistan and the US,' Radio Pakistan said. The state media credited Kurilla's leadership for fostering mutual understanding, enhancing defense collaboration and deepening counterterrorism cooperation between Pakistan's armed forces and CENTCOM. Radio Pakistan said during his visit, Kurilla held detailed meetings with senior Pakistani civil and military leadership,which included Zardari and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. 'Discussions encompassed regional security, military-to-military engagement, and joint efforts to combat terrorism and emerging transnational threats,' the statement said. Pakistan has recently sought a diplomatic reset with Washington after years of estrangement between the two countries, particularly during the Afghan war, where diverging perspectives deepened mistrust. High-level bilateral exchanges gradually faded as the US withdrew from Afghanistan. However, Islamabad has undertaken efforts in recent months to grow closer to the US administration, with Pakistan even nominating President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize for brokering a ceasefire between Islamabad and New Delhi on May 10.
