No Third Meeting Planned Between Trump and Pakistani CDF Asim Munir, Says White House

Islamabad/Washington: Pakistani Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Asim Munir is scheduled to visit the United States, but there are no plans for a third meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a senior White House official.

Recent reports in the Pakistani media suggested that Munir might meet Trump during his visit, potentially to discuss a proposed multinational force aimed at providing security and assistance following the conflict in Gaza. However, the White House clarified on Wednesday that such a meeting is not on the President’s calendar.

White House Statement

An unnamed senior White House official told Arab News that there is currently no meeting scheduled between Trump and Munir. The official emphasized that Munir had already met Trump twice in recent months. In June, he was invited to a private lunch at the White House, a rare instance where a U.S. President hosted a foreign military leader without the presence of civilian officials.

Munir’s Role in Trump’s Gaza Plan

Trump’s Gaza framework envisions a transitional stabilization phase with the deployment of troops from Muslim-majority countries to support security and governance in the war-torn Palestinian region. This initiative is part of Trump’s 20-point framework for reconstruction and long-term political solutions. Israel and Gulf countries have expressed support for this plan. According to reports, the U.S. considers Pakistan a potentially important contributor due to its large military.

Previous Meetings with Trump

Munir’s second meeting with Trump took place in October during a public event where Trump hosted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders from Muslim countries. Trump publicly thanked Munir for Pakistan’s efforts toward peace in Gaza, even referring to him as his “favorite” field marshal. During that visit, Munir presented Trump with a box containing rare earth elements and precious gems, an exchange that drew criticism in some quarters.

While the Pakistani military chief’s visit to the U.S. is ongoing, the White House has made it clear that there will be no private tête-à-tête with Trump this time.