Field Marshal Asim Munir returns to US for high-level engagements

Dubai: Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is on an official visit to the United States, where he has engaged in a series of high-level meetings with senior US military and political leaders, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released on Sunday.

This marks Field Marshal Munir’s second visit to the US in recent months, following a five-day trip in June during which he became the first serving Pakistani army chief to hold a face-to-face meeting with sitting U.S. President Donald Trump over a luncheon at the White House. That historic meeting spanned over two hours and focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, artificial intelligence, and security.

During the current visit, Field Marshal Munir attended the Retirement Ceremony of outgoing U.S. Central Command (Centcom) Commander, General Michael E. Kurilla, in Tampa, Florida. He also took part in the Change of Command Ceremony, welcoming Admiral Brad Cooper as the new Centcom commander.

“COAS lauded General Kurilla’s exemplary leadership and invaluable contributions to strengthening bilateral military ties, and expressed confidence in continued cooperation with Admiral Cooper to address shared security challenges,” said the ISPR.

Field Marshal Munir also held a meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, to discuss matters of mutual strategic interest. He extended a formal invitation to General Caine to visit Pakistan in the near future.

On the sidelines of his engagements, the Pakistani army chief interacted with defence chiefs from allied nations, reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral military collaboration.

In an interactive session with members of the Pakistani diaspora, COAS Munir urged overseas Pakistanis to remain optimistic about the country’s future and to actively support efforts to attract foreign investment.

“The diaspora reaffirmed their commitment to Pakistan’s development and expressed readiness to contribute to national progress,” the ISPR added.

Following COAS Munir’s June visit, Islamabad and Washington concluded a long-anticipated bilateral trade agreement, which includes plans for joint development of Pakistan’s untapped oil reserves. The deal was publicly confirmed by President Trump, who announced via social media that both nations are in the process of selecting an energy firm to lead the project.