Is Trump really visiting Pakistan and India in September?

Dubai: Conflicting reports about a potential visit by former U.S. President Donald Trump to Pakistan in September have stirred confusion across media and diplomatic circles.

The report originated from reports by two Pakistani television channels, which cited unnamed sources claiming that Trump would arrive in Pakistan and later continue on to India. These reports were then echoed by international outlets, including Reuters.

Last US President visit

If the visit is confirmed, it would have marked the first by a US president to Pakistan since George W. Bush in 2006. But so far no confirmation has been released.

Interestingly, the speculation follows a recent warming of ties between Islamabad and Washington. Just last month, Trump reportedly hosted Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House, an unprecedented meeting that sparked diplomatic buzz.

The rumours also coincide with India’s upcoming role as host of the Quad summit, a strategic forum including the US, India, Australia, and Japan. No official dates have been released for the summit, further complicating the narrative around Trump’s supposed South Asia itinerary.

What officials say

On Thursday, Pakistani diplomatic sources rejected claims circulating in local and international media suggesting Trump was expected in Islamabad on September 18. According to senior officials from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, the news was “completely fake” and not backed by any official communication.

“We have no information about any such visit. If there is, the Foreign Ministry will officially announce it,” said another senior official.

However, so far there has not been any official statement from either country confirming or denying Trump’s visit.

Unconfirmed reports

However, the initial source later retracted the story, apologising for publishing what they called an “unconfirmed” report. The timing also conflicts with Trump’s previously announced travel schedule, which includes a state visit to the United Kingdom from September 17 to 19.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad stated, “We have nothing to announce,” suggesting that any credible updates would have to come from the White House. Pakistan’s Information Ministry did not respond to media inquiries, while the Foreign Office simply said it was unaware of any such plan.

With inputs from agencies