Miftah Ismail Claims Trump Mentions Asim Munir Before PM Shehbaz Sharif in Discussions

Islamabad: Former finance minister Miftah Ismail has claimed that former US President Donald Trump mentions Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, before referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

His remarks come amid media reports, including from British newspaper The Telegraph, discussing Pakistan’s evolving diplomatic and strategic role in regional affairs. The report highlighted recent developments involving Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who reportedly visited Islamabad twice within a short period following stalled negotiations with the United States.

According to the publication, Araghchi’s second visit reportedly focused on meetings beyond the Prime Minister’s Office, including discussions at military headquarters with General Asim Munir. The report suggested that Pakistan’s military leadership is playing a more visible role in regional diplomatic engagement, particularly in communications involving Iran and the United States.

Miftah Ismail’s comments were cited in this context, suggesting that General Asim Munir holds significant influence in international perceptions of Pakistan’s leadership hierarchy. The report also referenced broader geopolitical dynamics, including Pakistan’s attempts to balance relations with regional partners and global powers amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The article further discussed Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, describing Islamabad’s diplomatic positioning as increasingly active. However, it also noted concerns among some observers regarding the complexity of Pakistan’s simultaneous engagements with multiple regional actors.

Neither the White House nor Pakistani authorities have officially responded to the claims regarding the order in which US political figures refer to Pakistan’s leadership.