Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is expected to visit the United States later this week for high-level talks with American defense officials, as reported by Pakistani media on Thursday. The trip, yet to be officially confirmed by either the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) or Pakistan’s Embassy in Washington, marks Munir’s second visit to the US in just two months, signaling deepening strategic dialogues between the two nations.
According to a report by Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn, Munir’s visit is a reciprocal move following US CENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla’s trip to Pakistan in July. During that visit, Kurilla was honored with the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military)—one of Pakistan’s highest military awards—underscoring the mutual respect between the two defense establishments.
A Return to Washington
Munir’s previous US tour in June 2025 included a rare lunch hosted by former US President Donald Trump at the White House, highlighting the significance of Pakistan’s military leadership in Washington’s regional security calculus.
The June meetings reportedly covered a broad range of issues—from counterterrorism cooperation to enhanced bilateral trade. Present at the table were US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs Steve Witkoff. On Pakistan’s side, Munir was joined by ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Muhammad Asim Malik.
What was initially planned as a one-hour meeting extended to more than two hours, with ISPR later describing it as a reflection of the “cordiality and depth of the discussion.”
Diplomacy Meets Dissent
Despite the formalities and diplomatic warmth, Munir’s US visit was anything but smooth. The streets of Washington turned tense as hundreds of Pakistani Americans, largely PTI supporters, staged massive protests outside the luxury hotel where Munir and his delegation were staying.
The demonstrators accused Munir of human rights violations in Pakistan, especially in the aftermath of political crackdowns on PTI, the party led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Chants like “Pakistanio ke qatil (Killer of Pakistanis)” and “Islamabad ke qatil (Killer of Islamabad)” echoed through the streets. One particularly viral video captured a protester shouting “Geedad, geedad, geedad (Jackal, jackal, jackal),” a derogatory term implying cowardice and betrayal. The footage quickly spread across social media platforms, becoming a PR nightmare for the Pakistani military establishment.
Observers say the diaspora’s fierce backlash serves as a stark reminder that military diplomacy abroad cannot be isolated from political dissent at home.
Strategic Ties Amid Turbulent Optics
Munir’s upcoming visit is aimed at reinforcing Pakistan’s strategic military relations with the US, especially at a time when regional tensions in Afghanistan and the Middle East remain high.
However, analysts point out that the optic challenge posed by vocal diaspora opposition could complicate diplomatic efforts. The US, while keen on maintaining defense coordination with Pakistan, must also walk a tightrope with respect to human rights and democratic accountability.
Despite the protests, Washington continues to view Pakistan’s military as a central player in South Asian security dynamics, particularly regarding counterterrorism operations, nuclear safety, and geopolitical balance with China and India.
What’s Next?
While neither ISPR nor the US State Department has officially confirmed Munir’s August visit, sources suggest that talks will include defense technology collaboration, intelligence sharing, and possibly even discussions about Pakistan’s economic stability and anti-terror commitments.
The return visit, though overshadowed by street-level dissent, underscores Pakistan’s military pivot towards Washington in a bid to reinvigorate its global alliances amid growing domestic and international scrutiny.
Whether Munir’s meetings can successfully deflect the noise from the streets and solidify Pakistan’s defense diplomacy remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Pakistan’s military leadership is under both the spotlight—and the microscope—like never before.
