Why Pakistan’s Army Chief Outshone Sharif at Trump Meeting

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Donald Trump’s praise for Field Marshal Asim Munir during high-profile White House talks underscores the entrenched role of Pakistan’s military in governance—and Washington’s tacit recognition of it.

By TRH Global Affairs Desk

NEW DELHI, September 26, 2025 — When US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House, the choreography spoke volumes. Trump not only hailed the Prime Minister as a “great leader” but went out of his way to describe Munir as a “great guy,” a comment that crystallized the delicate—and often awkward—truth of Pakistan’s power structure.

Observers were quick to note the contrast with 2019, when then-army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa appeared in uniform but stayed in the background during Imran Khan’s Oval Office visit. This time, Munir was front and center, with his presence overshadowing the civilian premier. As Ambassador Anil Trigunayat bluntly remarked, “He is the real ruler, and Trump already recognised and legitimised that.”

The symbolism is hard to miss. Pakistan’s army has long been seen as the country’s ultimate arbiter of power, shaping foreign policy, domestic politics, and security strategy. Trump’s warm embrace of Munir reflects Washington’s pragmatic acknowledgment of this reality—even as critics argue it undermines civilian supremacy.

Beyond optics, the meeting carried weighty implications. Afghanistan loomed large, with reports suggesting Trump is exploring a US return to Bagram Air Base. For Pakistan, this enhances its leverage as Washington redefines its South Asia strategy.

The message is clear: while Shahbaz Sharif holds the title of Prime Minister, it is Munir who commands Washington’s attention. In Trump’s world, acknowledging Pakistan’s military dominance is not a diplomatic misstep—it’s business as usual.

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