Following the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshall Asim Munir, at the White House, Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US Special Envoy for Afghanistan, highlighted Pakistan’s extensive history of duplicity and cautioned Trump that Munir was not to be trusted.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former leading US diplomat for Afghanistan, has cautioned US President Donald Trump regarding Pakistan’s longstanding history of duplicity.
This warning was issued shortly after Trump had a working lunch with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshall Asim Munir, at the White House on Wednesday. Trump expressed that he was “honoured” to meet Munir and characterized him as a “smart” individual.
Khalilzad informed Trump about how Pakistan deceived the United States during the War on Terror period. He pointed out that, after a decade-long search, Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was located in Pakistan.
“Throughout the years of our military presence in Afghanistan, Pakistan accepted our assistance while simultaneously offering support and refuge to those who were attacking our forces. Likewise, during the war on terror following 9/11, the Pakistani military selectively aided both us and the Al-Qaeda terrorists. Where did we discover Bin Laden? Comfortably situated in Pakistan near one of its military installations. Furthermore, Pakistan continues to detain Dr. Afidi, who assisted us in locating and eliminating Bin Laden. The conclusion is clear: Gen Asim Munir is not to be trusted,” Khalilzad stated in a post on X.
Trump’s engagement with Pakistan during his second term has coincided with actions that have soured relations with India. Since taking office, Trump has undermined Indian positions on Operation Sindoor and the Kashmir issue, pursued inequitable terms in trade negotiations, and formed an alliance with jihadists in West Asia. Conversely, he has sought to reset US-Pakistan relations, which had deteriorated under the previous Joe Biden administration — notably, Biden did not communicate with his Pakistani counterpart throughout his four-year term.
Khalilzad elaborates on Munir’s intentions towards Trump.
Munir conveyed to Trump that he, as the de facto leader of Pakistan, was appeasing Trump to safeguard his interests and those of the Pakistani Army.
Khalilzad elucidates Munir’s expectations from Trump.
Munir conveyed to Trump that he, the de facto leader of Pakistan, was seeking to appease Trump in order to safeguard his own interests as well as those of the Pakistani Army.
Khalilzad remarked that despite having elevated himself to the rank of field marshal and gaining some popularity recently, he still encounters significant opposition in Pakistan due to the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the repression of his party, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI).
Khalilzad identified four key objectives that Munir aims to achieve through his interactions with Trump:
1. Attract US investment in Pakistan’s mineral resources through military-owned enterprises.
2. Persuade Trump to delegate the safeguarding of US interests in Afghanistan, particularly regarding terrorism, to the Pakistani military.
3. In exchange, Munir would propose to act as an intermediary in communications with China.
4. Attain greater legitimacy and foster the perception that Trump supports his position as Pakistan’s ruler-for-life.
Given the connection between Pakistan’s military and terrorist groups in Afghanistan, Khalilzad warned that outsourcing the protection of US interests in Afghanistan would be a “recipe for complete disaster.”
