Washington , 18 June (H.S.): US President Donald Trump is set to meet Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Syed Asim Munir, who is in Washington for a five-day official visit aimed at strengthening military and strategic ties. The meeting, which will include a luncheon at 1:00 PM on Wednesday in the White House’s Cabinet Room, follows the White House’s denial of an invitation to Munir for the US Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The timing is significant due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.

During his visit, Munir is also expected to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. However, his trip has faced significant backlash from Pakistani nationals and Pakistani Americans, with protests outside his hotel and near the Pakistani embassy. Demonstrators, primarily supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI, demanded “unfettered democracy” in Pakistan and confronted Munir with accusations of being a “mass murderer” and “dictator.” This marks Munir’s first official visit to the US since a military conflict with India that followed a terror attack in Kashmir, which ended with a ceasefire proposal from Islamabad. Trump’s assertions that he used trade to broker peace were denied by India.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar