US lawmakers in Pakistan. Who are they?

A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation met Pakistan’s army chief Gen. Asim Munir on Sunday, signaling a cautious but notable warming of relations after years of mutual mistrust and diplomatic strain.

The delegation included Congressmen Jack Bergman, Thomas Suozzi, and Jonathan Jackson. In addition to meeting the army chief, the lawmakers also held talks with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, and other senior officials. Memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed to boost cooperation in information technology.

Why it matters

The visit underscores a strategic reset after a rocky period in U.S.-Pakistan relations — marked by accusations, political turbulence, and diverging geopolitical priorities.

After the fall of Kabul in 2021 and the chaotic U.S. withdrawal, Pakistan’s utility to Washington appeared to wane.

The situation worsened after former Prime Minister Imran Khan accused the U.S. of orchestrating his ouster in 2022, fueling anti-American sentiment.

U.S. officials had grown increasingly wary of Pakistan’s political instability and populist rhetoric.

Who are they?

Bergman is a Republican Congressman from Michigan and a retired lieutenant general in the U.S. Marine Corps. With decades of military service, he is the highest-ranking military officer ever elected to Congress. Bergman was first elected in 2016 and has since served multiple terms.

Suozzi is a Democratic Congressman from New York, currently serving in the U.S. House of Representatives after winning a special election in 2024. A certified public accountant and lawyer, Suozzi has had a long career in public service and has remained active in politics, including an unsuccessful bid for New York governor.

Jackson represents Illinois' First District and is the son of civil rights leaders Rev. Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Jackson. A longtime advocate for marginalized communities, Jackson has been involved in high-profile advocacy efforts, including negotiations with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad for the release of captured U.S. Navy Lt. Robert Goodman.

Ray of hope?

The Trump administration unfroze $397 million for a U.S.-backed program in Pakistan aimed at ensuring U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets are used solely for “counterterrorism operations” and not against rival India

This was not a new arms sale, but support for Pakistan’s existing fleet, originally supplied decades ago.

The Trump administration also released $5.3 billion in previously frozen foreign aid, mostly for security and counternarcotics programs, according to a list of exemptions reviewed by Reuters.

In March, President Donald Trump thanked Pakistan for its help in arresting Mohammad Sharifullah, an IS-K commander involved in the deadly 2021 Kabul airport bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members.

In its latest visit, the U.S. delegation praised Pakistan’s role in regional peace and counterterrorism, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, sovereignty, and broad-based cooperation — especially in security, trade, and tech development.

While trust is still rebuilding, the visit — and the meeting with the army chief — marks a return to high-level dialogue. Both sides appear keen to stabilize the relationship amid rising global tensions and shifting alliances.

Between the lines

Congressman Jack Bergman has previously expressed support for Imran Khan, tweeting “Free Imran Khan” in January. He also met PTI figures like former President Dr. Arif Alvi and Shahbaz Gill earlier this year.

Jack Bergman met PTI figures on Feb. 14Twitter

Congressman Tom Suozzi, a longtime member of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, had met Khan in 2019 and recently co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting a written update on Khan’s situation. Khan has been jailed since 2023 after being embroiled in graft cases, which his supporters say are politically motivated.