Pakistan Army Chief Faces Backlash Over Washington Visit and Trump Meeting:

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is under heavy political fire after a controversial visit to Washington — his third in less than six months. A photo from the Oval Office, showing Munir alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presenting a box of Pakistan’s rare earth minerals to former U.S. President Donald Trump, has ignited fierce debate at home. The gesture, meant to highlight Pakistan's vast untapped mineral resources, instead triggered accusations of overreach by the military and undermining of civilian leadership. The optics — with Munir seemingly taking the lead while Sharif stood by — raised eyebrows across political circles and media outlets. Speaking in Pakistan’s Senate, Senator Aimal Wali Khan lashed out at the military’s growing role in foreign policy. He criticized Munir for acting “like a salesman,” while the Prime Minister appeared to play “the role of a manager.” Khan questioned the legality of the Army chief directly negotiating with foreign leaders, calling it “a joke with the constitution” and “contempt of parliament.” “This is dictatorship, not democracy,” Khan said, demanding a joint parliamentary session to seek clarity on Pakistan’s endorsement of Trump’s Middle East peace initiative, details of an alleged defense pact with Saudi Arabia, and why diplomatic engagements traditionally led by the Foreign Office were being handled by the military. The backlash comes amid announcements of new cooperation agreements between the U.S. and Pakistan. These include mineral export deals and plans for joint refinery projects with American and European firms. While the government has hailed the partnerships as key to Pakistan’s economic revival, critics argue the manner in which they were presented damages the country's democratic image and signals weakness. “This image of an army chief pitching minerals to Trump is deeply symbolic,” said a political analyst on a local news channel. “It reflects how power has been inverted in Pakistan. Instead of empowering democratic institutions, we are portraying ourselves as militarised and desperate.” Observers note that this is not the first time Munir’s diplomatic efforts have caused concern. His repeated high-level visits to Washington have only deepened speculation that the military is sidelining elected representatives in critical matters of foreign policy and national interest — at a time when Pakistan is already grappling with an economic crisis, rising inflation, and political instability. The controversy also reflects broader public frustration with what many see as the military’s outsized influence in governance. In recent years, the Pakistan Army has faced increasing criticism for its role in shaping political outcomes, media narratives, and even economic policies. Despite official statements highlighting the success of the Washington trip and its potential benefits for investment and trade, the political fallout has overshadowed any positive headlines. Opposition leaders and civil society groups are calling for greater transparency and a clear demarcation between military and civilian responsibilities. As the government scrambles to contain the damage, the incident may prove to be a turning point in Pakistan’s ongoing struggle to define the balance of power between its democratic institutions and the powerful military establishment.

NEWS