ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Pakistan on September 18 as part of his forthcoming tour of South Asia, diplomatic sources revealed.
As part of his itinerary, Trump is scheduled to visit both Pakistan and India, aligning with regional engagements including the upcoming Quad leaders’ summit in New Delhi. While his visit to India appears confirmed, a brief stopover in Pakistan—either en route or on his return—is being considered, though official confirmation is still awaited from both capitals.
In remarks following his recent meeting with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at the White House, Trump underscored Pakistan’s critical role in regional peace, particularly in the context of growing tensions between Iran and Israel.
“Pakistan knows Iran better than we do,” Trump said, confirming that the Iran-Israel situation was a key topic of discussion during his talks with General Munir. “They’re a key player in ensuring regional stability.”
The meeting—a rare one-on-one engagement between a US president and a Pakistani military leader—was held in the White House Cabinet Room, followed by a luncheon hosted in General Munir’s honour.
A White House spokesperson stated that the luncheon was arranged to recognize Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace, especially in light of recent flare-ups with India. “It’s an honour to meet Field Marshal Asim Munir. I thanked him for not letting things spiral into war,” Trump said, referring to Pakistan’s role in de-escalating cross-border tensions.
The two leaders also touched upon prospects for economic and trade cooperation, with Trump confirming that preliminary trade talks involving Pakistan and India are underway.
“Pakistan’s concerns are being heard,” Trump added. “We’re in early talks on trade, and there’s room for progress.”
