Lt Gen(R) Raza Muhammad Khan (Defence Analyst): Meeting between Field Marshal Asim Munir and the US President Donald Trump covered a wide range of regional and international issues and there was a complete harmony of interests and views between both the dignitaries on these issues. I think that Pakistan and United States have come closer on several areas of bilateral cooperation especially in counter terrorism. I think that Field Marshal Asim Munir has communicated all the concerns of Pakistan about peace and stability in the region in the wake of Iran-Israel tension. President Donald Trump has reiterated that Pakistan is neighbor to Iran and knows Iran very much so our proposal for de-escalation could have been considered by the US government. I think that one and one meeting between both the leaders could have discussed bilateral cooperation, confidence building measures as well as promotion of trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and the United States.  

Sardar Masood Khan (Former Diplomat):  Meeting between Field Marshal Asim Munir and the US President Donald Trump is very crucial because normally the US presidents don’t hold meetings with military head of any other country.From the beginning of second tenure of President Trump it was said that he had tilt towards Pakistan so he played a role in recent war between Pakistan and India as the US brokered ceasefire between both the countries. This had paved way for the meeting between both the leaders. In the meeting we have sensitized the US that Iran-Israel war may turn to be dangerous and it may also inflict huge loss to the US.  We have also conveyed to the President Donald Trump to broker ceasefire between Iran and Israel as he had done between Pakistan and India. Secondly, we have reminded President Trump his promise to resolve Kashmir issue between Pakistan and India. Thirdly we need the US help in the checking India sponsored terrorism inside Pakistan through our western borders. In this connection we want intelligence to intelligence or military to military cooperation with the US.  Lastly we have tried to move the stagnant bilateral cooperation in economic sector with the US so we have invited the US investors to invest in Pakistan especially in mineral sector.  So we will become partners in crypto and emerging technologies with the US in coming days. Now there is a widespread mourning like situation in India because at first India faced humiliation from Pakistan armed forces and now their narrative has also met with failure globally because not a single country paid slightest possible heed to Indian delegation during their visit to different capitals of the world.

Masood Khalid (Former Ambassador): There is a new era of bilateral ties between the US and Pakistan as there was a lull in bilateral ties between both the countries during the Biden administration. But President Donald Trump has especially mentioned Pakistan for helping the US in counter terrorism and handing the wanted fugitive to the United States who was involved in acts of terrorism. So I hope that things will roll over to right direction in coming days. During the last month’s escalation between Pakistan and India, the Trump administration took a balanced position and did not endorse Indian official stance or narrative that Pakistan was behind the Pahalgam incident. On trade side, the US administration has also shown willingness to a workable trade agreement. Both sides are working on it and hopefully Pakistani delegation will be visiting Washington soon. So things are shaping up to the right direction and right now Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir is also visiting the Washington. US is willing to explore Pakistan’s mineral sector and helping Pakistan in digital and IT sectors up gradation. These are new areas of interests and both sides can explore it for the sake of mutual benefit. The US was supposed to support to India in the recent conflict with Pakistan because India was and still is strategic partner to the US, but this did not happen and it actually disappointed India. As the US took a balanced position and President Donald Trump announced to broker ceasefire between Pakistan and India; Pakistan acknowledged his efforts and welcomed his good efforts to set up offices to settle down Kashmir issue. So I hope Pakistan, US relations can move towards right direction as Pakistan is a partner to the US in terms of military, education and health sectors’ development programs. We have a huge Pakistani diaspora in the US which is playing a pivotal role in Pakistan’s economic uplift. I think Pakistan does not want to be part of any bloc and wants good and cordial relations on the basis of mutual benefit and interest with all countries either small and big. Pakistan’s focus is trade and regional connectivity so Pakistan wants peace in the region. Our parliamentary delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto also held very good meetings there in the US with core message of stability and peace in the South Asia. Our stance was we don’t want bloodshed, so the US should talk to India to resolve issues with Pakistan. This openness impressed the opinion maker segments in the United States. I think both the countries can work out a trade deal to boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation. So I think that the US officials will keep Pakistan’s priorities and challenges in mind while negotiating the terms and conditions of trade deal with Pakistan.

Dr. Aqeela Asif (IR Expert): Normally such high level meetings are arranged after months’ long preparations but this meeting between Field Marshal Asim Munir with the US President Donald Trump has been arranged in a very short time in the wake of prevailing geo-political situation in the region especially in the background of Israel-Iran war. Visit of Field Marshal to the US is very crucial for the settlement of complex regional issues. Both the local and international media is taking this meeting in a positive and meaningful manner. Today’s world is led by smart powers whereas in the past the world was being led by hard powers; now our youth is very well skilled in IT related technologies so Crypto can be a future trade mark for the success. Our IT teams ensure great victory over Indians during recent war with India. At present every young man in Pakistan is highly inspired by Pakistan army and considers himself as a soldier of Islam; therefore Pakistan will be in the forefront of global leaders in coming days. At the moment promotion of industrialization and industrial culture is important for Pakistan. In this regard we need to promote cottage industry along with appropriate marketing of the products.