ISLAMABAD – Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has lauded US President Donald Trump for his role in defusing global tensions, including a recent Pakistan-India standoff, and called on overseas Pakistanis to play a greater role in the country’s progress.
Speaking to members of the Pakistani diaspora during his official visit to the United States, the army chief said Pakistan had achieved “significant diplomatic gains” in recent months, crediting President Trump’s leadership for helping avert potential wars and creating space for renewed engagement between Islamabad and Washington.
Calling overseas Pakistanis a “brain gain” rather than a brain drain, Gen. Munir described them as one of the nation’s greatest strengths. “Your ideas, priorities, and international connections are a national asset,” he said, urging expatriates to channel investment into Pakistan’s economy. He linked Pakistan’s prosperity directly to the strength of its global diaspora, noting that an anticipated Pakistan-US trade agreement could attract much-needed foreign investment.
Highlighting Pakistan’s youthful demographic — 64% of the population is under 30 — the army chief called on overseas communities to use their resources and influence to spur economic growth, stressing that national development and international engagement must go hand in hand.
On regional security, Gen. Munir reiterated Pakistan’s zero-tolerance stance toward terrorism, vowing that all militants would be brought to justice. He accused India’s intelligence agency RAW of involvement in acts of terrorism, warning that such actions were a “serious concern” and pledging a swift and decisive response to any aggression from New Delhi.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, the COAS said it remained an internationally recognised dispute and not an internal matter for India — echoing Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s description of the region as Pakistan’s “jugular vein.”
During his trip, Gen. Munir attended the retirement ceremony of US Central Command chief Gen. Michael E. Kurilla in Tampa and the change of command for Admiral Brad Cooper. He praised the outgoing commander’s role in enhancing bilateral defence ties and expressed optimism about continued cooperation under the new leadership.
He also met US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, inviting him to visit Pakistan, and held discussions with defence chiefs from other allied nations.
The visit comes just two months after Gen. Munir’s high-profile trip to Washington, where he met President Trump and senior US officials — a move seen as part of a broader effort to reset bilateral ties. Analysts say the warming military-to-military relations could open doors for deeper collaboration in regional security and counterterrorism.
Diplomatic observers note that the Trump administration has adopted a more open approach towards Pakistan compared to its predecessor, while Washington’s view of India has shifted. US officials, once enthusiastic about New Delhi, are now said to find their Indian counterparts “less receptive” and “overconfident” on key issues.
