Trump’s meeting with Shehbaz, Munir seen opening new opportunities for Pakistan

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House, a meeting Kamran Khan described as a “meaningful development” for Pakistan and the region.

The 80-minute meeting in the Oval Office was the third interaction between Trump and Shehbaz in just two days. It also marked the second time in three months that Munir had been received at the White House, underscoring a renewed depth in Washington’s engagement with Islamabad.

According to Khan, the reception reflected a growing recognition of Pakistan’s importance. The Pakistani leaders were given a red-carpet welcome upon arrival at Andrews Air Base before being escorted to the White House. While no questions were allowed from the media, official photos released by Washington showed warm smiles, handshakes, and Trump flashing a thumbs-up gesture.

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also attended the meeting, highlighting its strategic weight.

Khan noted that Trump appeared eager to meet the Pakistani delegation. Wrapping up remarks with reporters in the Oval Office, the U.S. president referred to Sharif and Munir as “great leaders” and repeated the sentiment before the bilateral session began.

The encounter, Khan argued, spotlighted the success of Pakistan’s civil-military partnership, which he described as a “hybrid system.” He said the Shehbaz-Munir team has delivered results that have significantly elevated Pakistan’s global prestige in just a matter of months.

“This partnership has represented Pakistan at the highest levels — whether with Trump at the White House, Xi Jinping at the Shanghai summit, or Mohammed bin Salman during the signing of the Saudi defense pact,” Khan said in his vlog.

He added that this synergy has been visible during recent visits to Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, and the United Arab Emirates, where both Sharif and Munir presented a united front.

Khan said the developments marked a dramatic turnaround for a nation of 250 million that few expected only months ago. He argued Pakistan has entered “a new era of opportunities” in geostrategic politics, regional security, and economic interests. Washington, Gulf nations, and global lenders like the IMF and World Bank, he said, have all shifted their tone toward Pakistan, while ties with China have deepened further.

“The full benefits of the civil-military hybrid partnership will only be realized when Pakistan strengthens its economic system and closes the loopholes that weaken it,” Khan said.