Former US envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, has warned US President Donald Trump against believing Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s strong military chief, after they met at the White House on Wednesday. Trump called Munir a “smart” individual and stated that he was “honoured” to receive him for a working lunch.
Khalilzad, nonetheless, made a stern warning through social media, referencing Pakistan’s history of double-talking, especially throughout the War on Terror. He reminded Trump that Pakistan had received US aid while sheltering Taliban and Al-Qaeda troops attacking American soldiers. He pointed out that Osama bin Laden was ultimately discovered in Abbottabad, Pakistan near a military base highlighting Islamabad’s double game.
“Pakistan accepted our aid while simultaneously backing those who were killing our troops,” Khalilzad tweeted. “General Asim Munir can’t be trusted.”
Munir’s approach to Trump, as explained by Khalilzad, is serving four strategic objectives, obtaining US investment in Pakistani minerals through military-owned companies, subcontracting US counterterrorist work in Afghanistan to the Pakistani military, providing mediation with China, and achieving international legitimacy as Pakistan’s unelected de facto ruler.
Khalilzad cautioned that such deals specifically outsourcing American interests in Afghanistan would be catastrophic in light of the Pakistani military’s well-documented connections with terrorist networks.
Trump’s recent reversal to Pakistan is a break from Biden-era distancing. Yet, this action has grated upon Indian nerves, as Trump’s position on Kashmir and Operation Sindoor, combined with alleged pro-jihadist alignments in West Asia, strained US-India relations.
Khalilzad also criticized Pakistan’s internal situation under Munir, citing continued public opposition and the jailing of ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan. He asserted that Munir is employing US engagement to enhance his domestic and foreign profile.
