New Delhi: Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s meeting with US President Donald Trump has shocked, amused, and alarmed Pakistanis. They are equal parts proud and sarcastic. While strategic experts are using words to decode the significance of the first meet between the two, Pakistanis have armed themselves with memes. Some view this meeting as a low moment for democracy, one that undermines civilian rule.
Field Marshal Asim Munir’s lunch with Trump at the White House Thursday is being analysed threadbare: Was it because of crypto deals between Pakistan and the US? Was it because Munir endorsed Trump for the Nobel Prize? Or has the US finally ‘realised’ Pakistan’s importance?
“This is a significant development and underscores Pakistan’s importance in West and South Asia as a nuclear power. China is a long term ally & the United States hasn’t walked away!” author Raza Rumi wrote on X.
Experts weighed in as well.
“The focus is on US-Pakistan issues, on security. Backdoor meetings must have focused on counter-terrorism operations—but not just on catching terrorists and handing them over to America because that happened during General Musharraf’s time [as well] and yet did not lead to stable relations. Now the focus is on political matters,” Hamid Mir said during a discussion on Geo TV Wednesday.
Then there are conspiracy theories. According to some Pakistani analysts, it was DG ISI Asim Malik, appointed NSA in May, who made the meeting possible through backdoor channels.
“Under his direction, Pakistan significantly deepened counter-terrorism collaboration with the U.S.—most notably by transferring custody of high-value militants, including suspects linked to the Kabul airport bombing. This cooperation wasn’t just operational. It was reputational,” Pakistan policy analyst Omer Azhar wrote on X.
“Malik’s moves helped reframe Pakistan within Pentagon and CENTCOM circles—from a security liability to a counter-terrorism partner capable of delivering on hard asks. Also led to praise by U.S General. That shift in perception mattered,” Azhar added.
Some chose to be sarcastic.
“Trump invited the army chief instead of the prime minister because even the US president knew that the Sharif family would turn up with their entire clan like it was a wedding reception,” a Pakistani X user said.
Trump invited the army chief instead of the prime minister kiu usko bhi pata he k sharif family pura tabbar le k puhanch jaye gi jese walima pe bulaya he.
— rants (@rantspakistani) June 18, 2025
Others are convinced it was the crypto deal.
“A two-hour sit-down between US President Trump and Pak army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir — far longer than planned — signals more than polite diplomacy. From regional peace to energy, Crypto, AI and trade, the conversation spanned serious ground. Trump sees Munir as a leader to engage. And GHQ message back home: We’ve got this,” New York Times reporter and author Salman Masood wrote on X.
Some argued that Trump met Munir to engage Pakistan in the Israel-Iran conflict. Attention was drawn to the growing role of the military and the diminishing civilian government hold on the country.
Shuja Nawaz, a political and strategy expert, stated: “Great opportunity for Trump to learn from Munir’s recent visit to Tehran and not push for US war on Iran. CT cooperation will be celebrated. Munir should remember Pakistan needs ‘Friends not Masters’.”
Mehlaqa Samdani, director at Community Alliance for Peace and Justice, a US-based foreign policy advocacy group, sounded a warning: “If Munir was summoned to back Israel and America’s aggression against Iran, it would underscore Pakistan’s subservience and further undermine AM’s unconstitutional rule. Sad and pathetic!”
Some people seemed worried about the democratic slide.
“Those praising the meeting between Trump, COAS Asim Munir and DG ISI, should know it’s a shame for democracy & civilian supremacy, where the Prime Minister is nowhere to be seen & not aware of the bargains that the generals make and play with the fate of 240 million Pakistanis,” a Pakistani X user wrote.
Afrasiab Khattak, a former Pakistani senator, offered a grim view: “The Trump–Asim Munir meeting is a death knell for civilian rule.”
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told reporters the meeting followed Munir’s recommendation for Trump to be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in preventing a nuclear exchange between India and Pakistan.
(Edited by Prashant)