Donald Trump to meet Pakistan's Asim Munir at White House

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 18, 2025 07:24 IST

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is scheduled to have a closed-door lunch with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday at the White House.

The private luncheon will be held in the Cabinet Room, and no press access has been permitted. The meeting between Trump and Asim Munir is scheduled to take place at 1 PM (Washington time), in the White House Cabinet Room, according to the president’s daily public schedule.

The Pakistani military leader is also expected to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on his US trip, media in the south Asian country reported.

Munir, who arrived in Washington on Sunday for a five-day official visit, reportedly seeks to reinforce strategic ties with the United States. As noted in a report by Dawn, the visit is "primarily bilateral in nature" and, despite its timing, is not officially linked to the US Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations on June 14.

PAKISTANI-AMERICANS RALLY AGAINST ASIM MUNIR

However, the optics of the visit have been complicated by a vocal protest movement. Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan confronted Munir outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, chanting slogans and branding him “the Butcher of Pakistanis.” The luxury hotel briefly turned into an impromptu protest site. Analysts described the moment as “a major embarrassment” for the Pakistan Army and a public signal of its “eroding credibility.”

As individuals, seemingly officials, exited the vehicles, a protester yelled "Geedad, geedad, geedad (jackal, jackal, jackal)" — a derogatory term implying cowardice and deceit.

Reports claimed that the discussions are expected to cover regional stability, counterterrorism cooperation, and broader security issues, though officials have not confirmed any specific agenda.